Lioness star details private Usain Bolt chat involving speed tips and shirt swap
England Lioness Lauren Hemp told how Olympic legend Usain Bolt asked HER for some speed tips after he watched her in action.
The winger was starstruck when the king of the track came to see her play. Bolt was in the crowd as Hemp scored in Manchester City's 2-0 victory over Chelsea in March... then asked for her shirt afterwards.
Hemp, 22, of North Walsham, Norfolk, was training on Tuesday on the pitch where Bolt played for the Aussie A League side Central Coast Mariners following his retirement from athletics.
Asked if she got any tips from the giant Jamaican when they met, Lauren said: "He actually asked for my shirt so you will have to ask him! It was amazing meeting him and we shared some speed tactics which I won't say now. I didn't know he had played and trained here."
The eight-time Olympic gold-medallist posed for a photo with Lauren who wrote “when fast met faster, you decide which one”, accompanied by a winking face emoji.
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Her England and Manchester City team mate Esme Morgan revealed Hemp had been struggling with an ear infection before the game.
“She just came to me and said ‘Es – guess who’s just asked for my shirt?’," she recalled. "And I was wracking my head through the Chelsea team, thinking who might have wanted it. I was too tired to think of anyone, and she was like ‘Usain Bolt’ – I couldn't believe it! Must be the pace!”
Hemp spoke after around 1,500 local fans and schoolchildren watched the team in training before a welcome ceremony with smoke and a didgeridoo from the indigenous Darkinjung group in Gosford, New South Wales, 46 miles north of Sydney.
Lauren Hemp poses for a picture with Usain Bolt
Hemp in action during England's opening Women's World Cup clash (Getty Images)Central Coast Administrator Rik Hart told the Lionesses that he was of English heritage and would be following them at the tournament. "I'll support you all the way," he said "Unless you play the Matildas."
England boss Sarina Wiegman thanked him for the welcome at their Aussie HQ, the Crowne Plaza in nearby Terrigal. Captain Millie Bright was given a big cheer from the crowd when she said: "The girls have loved seeing all the animals here - especially the Kangaroos - and we love the sunshine!"
More than 1,000 children watched training. Natalie MacDonald brought 300 pupils aged 5-12 from nearby Erina Heights School, including her son Lachlan. The 11-year-old Arsenal fan is going to see the Lionesses play Denmark on Friday with his dad Troy MacDonald, a former professional footballer with the Newcastle Jets team and a close friend of former England men's U-21 star Michael Bridges.
"It is so inspiring for the children to see international players here," said Natalie, Erina Heights School Principal. "Australia is so excited about the World Cup. "And soccer fever is running high at Erin Heights. "They are so thrilled to see England and the Matildas.
The Lionesses are eyeing World Cup glory this summer (The FA via Getty Images)"It has been great at school, they have a wallchart for all the scores and they have been trying to persuade me to show games live. "The matches are sold out and I think just having the women here is so important as an example for young girls.
"They pick up that inspiration to achieve and learn about all the different nations and see a life beyond ours here on the coast."
England training takes place against the beautiful backdrop of palm trees at end of the ground with views of Gosford's scenic waterfront. The stadium also provides the best playing surface in Australia's A League and is in immaculate condition for the Lionesses.
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Hemp said the team had learned from their dramatic 2-1 Euro 2022 final victory over Germany. "We have a new summer now and new challenge," she said.
"We have seen from the tournament so far that anything can happen in these games so it is important that we are ready for each one.
"As Lucy Bronze said pressure is a privilege, we have all worked to be in this position. "It is important I use all the the experiences which I have got along the way."
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