Lionesses: Inside England’s Australian base camp at World Cup

The players often gather to watch the other World Cup matches in the relaxation room or use the virtual reality headsets.

“I didn’t even know we had them,” said defender Alex Greenwood. “I don’t think I’ve got round to that bit yet it’s that big.

“As we left earlier it was Hempo and Niamh Charles playing [table tennis]. I think Hempo’s really good actually but I’m not playing table tennis, it’s not for me.”

There is also a library which includes the Harry Potter series books and tennis stars Ash Barty and Serena Williams’ autobiographies.

The ‘White room’ is where manager Sarina Wiegman and her staff hold team meetings and analysis.

Even when they are eating, the players are surrounded by motivational quotes such as “play for the shirt on the pitch not the seat on the plane”. And among the nutritional options are over 1,040 Yorkshire tea bags.

And Greenwood has found her “inner-child Alex”, spending her time colouring.

“I’m actually loving colouring in at the moment. I’m colouring all kinds, whatever I can get my hands on. I’m running out of spaces now,” she added.

Based along the beach front, the squad have a short 15-minute drive to Central Coast Stadium where they train and use a gym which has been specifically built for the Lionesses’ arrival.

New South Wales will be home to a new women’s team in September, the Central Coast Mariners, and all of the Lionesses’ gym equipment – which is half-owned by the club – will be left for their use after the World Cup.

The FA hopes this will leave “an ever-lasting legacy” in the area. They also aim to connect with local people in Sydney and held a virtual meeting with Karen Menzies, the first female Indigenous Australian footballer.

“We are here to do a job but it’s also an enriching life experience,” said the FA’s technical director Kay Cossington. “We have felt very connected to that.”

Cossington, who has been at the FA for 18 years, said the base camp is “night and day” from the first one she experienced at the home Euros back in 2005, and it’s clear the players are enjoying it.