Levell: Squad Fitness Is Important

Next Match | Saturday 2 May Sat 2 May

BLB

(A)

05 D

17 H

47 M

43 S

Interviews & Features

Heritage

Photos

Levell: Squad Fitness Is Important

LCFC Women’s Kirstie Levell says there is a determination within the squad to ensure they are heading into the new season in the best shape possible.

2021-08-17T15:45:00.000Z

by Sam Jones

Published

17 Aug, 2021

Levell: Squad Fitness Is Important

LCFC Women’s Kirstie Levell says there is a determination within the squad to ensure they are heading into the new season in the best shape possible.

Sam Jones

2021-08-17T15:45:00.000Z

Levell: Squad Fitness Is Important

LCFC Women’s Kirstie Levell says there is a determination within the squad to ensure they are heading into the new season in the best shape possible.

Sam Jones

2021-08-17T15:45:00.000Z

Levell: Squad Fitness Is Important

LCFC Women’s Kirstie Levell says there is a determination within the squad to ensure they are heading into the new season in the best shape possible.

Sam Jones

2021-08-17T15:45:00.000Z

Levell: Squad Fitness Is Important

LCFC Women’s Kirstie Levell says there is a determination within the squad to ensure they are heading into the new season in the best shape possible.

Sam Jones

2021-08-17T15:45:00.000Z

_- Kirstie Levell speaks during pre-season to discuss LCFC Women’s preparations for the new campaign- City are about to head into their first Barclays FA Women’s Super League season following promotion_- The Foxes have faced Liverpool, Chelsea and Sheffield United so far in their pre-season schedule- Levell says the Foxes will reap the rewards of their hard work at Belvoir Drive during the season

The FA Women’s Super League newcomers have been enjoying their first pre-season at Belvoir Drive, with several weeks of training and friendlies already under their belts ahead of their top-flight debut on 4 September.

For Levell, the fitness side of the game will be crucial as they make the step up to face professional outfits on a weekly basis during the 2021/22 campaign, but she also emphasised the importance of a positive atmosphere.

“It’s very exciting to come back and get going,” Levell told LCFC TV. “I was raring to get back into goalkeeper sessions. They are really fun at the moment with a lot of fitness involved. Of course, we need to get up to scratch for the WSL.

“But we’ve also been joining in with the outfield players with a lot of running, I know they are grafting when we’re not with them as well.

“There’s a lot that we need to cover, especially as goalkeepers, because there are so many different variables in our game. So, it’s trying to get that in and also get our fitness back up. I’m really enjoying pre-season so far.”

The shot-stopper started every FA Women’s Championship fixture last season as the Foxes sealed the second-tier title, while also picking up a share of the Golden Glove thanks to a tally of 10 clean sheets.

She is aiming to keep her place in the side and enjoys the competition and support provided by fellow goalkeepers Demi Lambourne and Sophie Harris, as well as the Club's coaching team.

“It’s great that we’re all a similar age, we’ve all got similar goals, so I think it’s a great atmosphere. (Coach) Tony [O’Neill] pushes us hard and we really push each other as well.

“So I really enjoy coming in to work with the goalkeepers to be honest and I think we’ve got a great bunch.

“I am aiming to work consistently hard and push myself, but also I’m definitely aiming to keep clean sheets. I think that’s important in this league because there are top teams and very top goalkeepers. Ideally, I want to be up there with them.”

One of several players to have previously made appearances in the WSL, the former Everton ‘keeper, who started her career at the Toffees, is looking forward to testing herself against the best teams in the country once more.

Competing against the likes of current title holders Chelsea during pre-season has also provided confidence, she believes.

“It’s been interesting, the 24-year-old added. “We played a top, top team in Chelsea. That’s our aim, to get exactly where they are, and I think we competed really well. The squad fitness is very important, showing that we can match these teams.

“They’ve been full-time for a lot longer than us and it’s great to see where we’re at and actually test ourselves before the season, which is coming up.

“With the recruitment over the summer, there’s a good few of us who have WSL experience and for me that’s really exciting to be able to showcase myself again and I think obviously, with the television coverage, that’s going to be great as well.”

LATEST HEADLINES

LCFC Women Lose Out To London City LCFC Women were beaten 5-1 away by London City Lionesses in the Barclays Women's Super League on Sunday.

4 Hours 12 Mins Ago

Choudhury Reflects On Millwall Draw Hamza Choudhury felt conceding late against Millwall summed up our season to some extent, following Friday’s 1-1 draw which concluded our home campaign.

11 Hours 12 Mins Ago

Rowett’s Millwall Assessment Gary Rowett provided his reaction after our 1-1 draw with Millwall in our final King Power Stadium outing of the season on Friday night.

25 Apr, 2026

City Draw With Millwall On Filbert Way We drew 1-1 with Millwall in Friday’s night’s Sky Bet Championship fixture at King Power Stadium.

24 Apr, 2026

LATEST PHOTOS

Leicester City 1 Millwall 1 Match imagery from the Foxes' Sky Bet Championship home clash with Millwall.

24 Apr, 2026

Leicester City 2 Hull City 2

21 Apr, 2026

Hull Preparations In Seagrave A look at Monday's training session at LCFC Training Ground as our encounter with Hull City nears.

20 Apr, 2026

Portsmouth 1 Leicester City 0 Match imagery from our Sky Bet Championship clash with Pompey on the South Coast.

18 Apr, 2026