While the squad are focused on their pre-season preparations, the players have been able to explore during their free time, and on Wednesday they received a traditional Māori welcome ceremony.

The weekend brings the first match of the tour, when we take on Auckland FC in a friendly at the historic Eden Park stadium, and then the trip over to Australia on Sunday. Beever-Jones is relishing the experience.

‘I've always wanted to come to New Zealand and obviously Australia too,’ she said.

‘The jet lag's testing me right now, but the coffee is definitely making up for it! The coffee's lived up to the high expectations I have, so no complaints from my side.

‘Everyone is so friendly here. Honestly, it's been so nice to have so many random conversations. It’s not every day you get the opportunity to come to the other side of the world.’

With our ‘never done’ slogan, the Blues are once again breaking new ground as the first Women’s Super League team to visit Australia and New Zealand on a pre-season tour.

Beever-Jones recognises that there will be fans of the club stationed in those countries who will have the chance to see the team play for the very first time. New Zealand and Australia were co-hosts of the Women’s World Cup in 2023, and there is a desire among the squad to play our best football for the supporters based in those countries.

‘It does feel a bit surreal to have the opportunity to come here,’ the striker continued. ‘As a club, it's a super exciting time to connect with the fans, be amongst the local culture and come somewhere completely new to us. And I think we're the first WSL team to do it as well.

‘I've absolutely loved it so far, and I'm really excited to make some more memories off the pitch and then on the pitch to connect with all the fans that we have here and hopefully put on a great show for everyone.

‘We all try not to take it for granted. I think it shows the exposure the women's game is having. I think even as a fan, when I was watching the World Cup from the outside, the stadiums were packed out and the fans did such an incredible job of bringing the noise.

‘And it's always been a dream of mine to come over here and experience it first hand. That’s why we're all so excited as a club to go to such a historic stadium at Eden Park and see as many fans as possible there. I think the more the better.

'It will always feel like a home away from home for us if we can bring as many of our Chelsea fans out there. Auckland FC are a super exciting prospect of a team, so I hope it'll be a great game all around.’