Holmes on the Roam

Former Sunderland defender Abby Holmes explains how she spent a year out from teaching by finally turning fully professional with Dutch club PEC Zwolle, a life ambition she felt she had to act on before getting too old. Having always played part-time and spent ten years at Sunderland, she describes pushing her comfort zone and enjoying both the football and the culture. Holmes rates the Dutch standard as similar to WSL 1 and 2 outside the top four, but a completely different style, the Dutch loving the technical side and finding her physicality refreshing. She earns enough to live well while still paying an English mortgage. Short away trips are a welcome change from travelling the length of England, and she notes strength and conditioning is less emphasised. She has become more technical, and names Sinterklaas as her favourite Dutch tradition.