Mel Filis is delighted to be back out on the grass at Loughborough University this weekend.
The 20-year-old is working her way back from an injury that she sustained at the beginning of pre-season, and she was able to get involved in the first training session at Loughborough University on Friday afternoon.
The following morning, the midfielder was able to reflect on a positive first day all round.
“The first day here at Loughborough has been really enjoyable. It was a bit of a longer day, but we want to be able to pack a lot into these three days.
“Yesterday was my first day back in full training – so that was a really good milestone for me.
“It's not been necessarily a long injury, but it's one of the first ones I've had. So mentally, that’s been a challenge for me, but it’s now really nice to hopefully be out the other side.”
The Irons are building up to their sixth pre-season friendly – where they take on Liverpool at the University Stadium. It’s another step up in opposition for the Hammers, who have been steadily taking up the level of opposition as pre-season has gone on.
They’ve not only been out on the grass, there’s also been time for the players to take part in a number of team building activates, which Filis highlighted as a positive of the pre-season camp so far.
“We're doing a lot of team activities, which have been good for us. We’re also trying to take on a lot of information ahead of the game against Liverpool, where we want to put in another good performance.
“We know we’re going to face our toughest test of pre-season so far and I think it's important that we start testing ourselves against some of the teams in our league. It gives us a chance to look at where we need to improve and what are going to be our strengths this year, especially when we've got a lot of new players.”
It’s not the first time that Filis has been to Loughborough University, with the midfielder spending some time this summer up in Leicestershire working with speed works.
“I had a short break over the summer, and then I just did a lot of individual development, physically as well as technically.
“I think for a lot of the older players, it's probably really important for them to take rest. And maybe with the younger ones, we've got a bit more in our tank to be able to get some extra work in because obviously, one day we're hoping to be in that position.
“So my offseason was just a lot of work looking at areas that I need to improve. I went away with speed works at Loughborough to work on that side of the game – it’s made me feel fresh coming into preseason."
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