'It is very important we learn about and embrace Aboriginal and Australian culture'

England Women’s daily show Lionesses: Down Under connected by EE got underway this morning and the first guest, Chloe Kelly, spoke about the amazing support she has received from back home and by the Australian people.

The team are currently based in Brisbane/Meeanjin ahead of England’s opening 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup game against Haiti on Saturday.

Co-host Kyle Walker started the show, which he presents alongside England legend Jill Scott, by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which they were filming and paid respect to the elders past, present and emerging.

Upon their arrival in the region, England’s players had been welcomed by Yuggara-Chepara Dancers, the traditional Aboriginal Women's Dance Group of Migunjin-Brisbane

And Kelly said: “It is very special to learn the aboriginal culture. We want to feel a part of the Aboriginal culture and the Australian culture. It is very important that we learn about it and embrace it. 

“This [pointing to a video of the welcome ceremony] is a version of ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ and I think Es and Millie got a little bit mixed up on it. I saw them come up when we were going down!

“It was brilliant.”

Thank you to the community of Brisbane / Meanjin, including the Yuggara-Chepara Dancers, the traditional Aboriginal Women's Dance Group of Migunjin-Brisbane, who welcomed us last night! 👏 pic.twitter.com/HX2ZgECaOW

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 18, 2023

Kelly added: “So far it has been amazing. We have had such a warm welcome from everyone so far and we are really feeling the love from the Australians. 

“It is amazing to be here and it is definitely one of the best places I have ever been to.”

It is not only in Australia where Kelly and the England team have felt the support, with Lionesses: Down Under connected by EE showing a host of videos from England internationals, with Harry Kane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, John Stones and several Para Lions stars wishing the players good luck.

There were also a number of videos of fans, from the recent England Women v Portugal game and from local football clubs, wishing the players good luck and asking Kelly several questions.

Kelly said: “It is really special. We have times in our day where we black out and can speak to our family back home, which is really important that everyone has that.

“A lot of families will be travelling over to see us and in our downtime we will be able to see our family, making our downtime feel like home for us.

“When we step onto the pitch, we know we have the support of not only our families but the fans back home, who are always supporting us.”

She added: “We wear the shirt with pride over here and we know with the support back home everyone is backing us and they're wearing their shirts with pride too.”

The tournament may not have started yet but Kelly and her family’s pride at the Londoner representing England at her first World Cup is already clear to see.

She said: “I had loads of letters from home that I opened up last night. In my case, my Mum had sent me a little package which had letters from home.

“Seeing how proud everyone is back home is really special to me and knowing everyone back home is supporting us is really nice for us to see.”

She continued: “My family inspire me the most. Those are the people that made so many sacrifices for me when I was a kid to get me to training and to push me to be better every day. I wake up every morning and want to do well for them.”

This is the first major tournament since Scott has retired but with the England legend being a co-host for the team’s daily show out in Australia, it means the former Manchester City and Everton star continues to be around the Lionesses’ camp, something Kelly said the players are happy about.

“How can we not miss Jill?” Kelly said. “But it is great that Jill is still here and it still feels like she is a part of our team, which is brilliant.”

You can watch the first episode of Lionesses: Down Under connected by EE above and tomorrow will see another Manchester City star join Scott and Walker in midfielder Laura Coombs.

Every episode of Lionesses: Down Under connected by EE will be available on England's YouTube channel or at EnglandFootball.com so make it part of your daily World Cup routine!