Speed-dating, 'Hunted' and mistaken sharks: WSL 2 clubs' unusual pre-season activities

Several WSL 2 clubs undertook unconventional team-bonding activities during their summer pre-season camps across locations including Canada, the Peak District and the Lake District as the WSL 2 season prepares to kick off on 4 September. BBC Sport gathered accounts from players about the exercises and other off-field experiences during the break.

Pre-season, a period used for building fitness and integrating new players, provided the backdrop for a range of non-football activities this summer. Clubs travelled for camps — Nottingham Forest were in Canada — and used days off for outings such as visits to a wildlife centre. BBC Sport reported on a variety of exercises designed to strengthen squad cohesion and noted extra interviews and content are available on the BBC Women's Football Weekly feed.

Nottingham Forest's manager Tom Mallinson organised a speed-dating-style exercise intended to help squad members learn about new signings and each other's strengths, and Forest players also took part in padel during pre-season. The players were paired to say what they appreciated about one another and to identify strengths. "It was really wholesome because we had a different partner each time. The questions were like: 'what does your partner bring to the team?'" said Forest captain Georgia Brougham. "It made people feel valued. I think that was a moment where everyone really felt together on the trip. One of the girls said that she felt like she gained a sister in me. She's Swedish and obviously she's been away from home but she said she feels safe and she can just be herself. It wasn't forced, so it was nice."

Sheffield United spent a day playing 'Hunted', a real-life version of the Channel 4 reality series, with the objective of avoiding being caught by those chasing them in the Peak District. The activity was framed as a team exercise to work together while evading pursuers. "I'm not really sure what goes on to be honest! We just kind of ran around after each other in the woods," said Sheffield United's Joy Ralph. "We did it somewhere in the peak district. It's very similar to the TV show. It was fun!"

Sunderland goalkeeper Fran Stenson, who moved from Southampton this summer, described exploring the coast with team-mates and an early sighting that turned out not to be a shark. "We've been to a few places down by the beach. We went there once and there was dolphins. I didn't expect that," said Stenson. "I first thought it was a shark. I was like: 'no, am I seeing it right?' There were loads of photographers and I thought it was a shark because I saw a larger fin. A guy next to me told me to look out [at the sea] because they were all playing and I realised they were dolphins not sharks. That was one of my first days too."

Wolves visited the Lake District for a pre-season trip that combined outdoor challenges and traditional camp activities, with some players amused and apprehensive about the itinerary. "There were rumours about whether we were going to have to put mud on our faces because our manager is in the RAF," said goalkeeper Emily Orman. "Everyone was worried it was going to be quite a military trip in the Lake District! We were abseiling down a waterfall, there was a bit of fitness involved and campfires - more team bonding stuff. But some people were concerned about their skin care routine."

Orman, who joined Wolves on loan from London City Lionesses this summer, described pursuing interests beyond football during pre-season, including gaming and media work she began while recovering from a wrist injury last season. "My boyfriend's kind of indoctrinated me into playing video games because it was his smart way of him getting away with it," said Orman. "He got me a new computer and was like: 'oh look at this'. He's plagued me with that addiction." She has done commentary stints, started a YouTube channel and said: "I'm really passionate about trying to do some documentaries in the future. At the moment I'm just trying to get used to being in front of a camera, filming and editing with just general vlogs. In the future, I'd love to explore women in sport. I love Louis Theroux and Stacey Dooley. I would love to learn more. I think that's why I enjoyed the commentary. I really enjoy context."

Further interviews and additional material about the WSL 2 clubs' pre-season activities are available via the BBC Women's Football Weekly feed, as noted by BBC Sport.