The stadiums are bursting with colour, the skills on the pitch are silky and the host cities are pulling out all the stops to welcome the fans. Yes, the women's biggest football tournament is in full swing and it’s hard not to feel a flicker of envy towards those that are getting to experience it on the ground across Australia and New Zealand.
One group soaking up every last ounce of the excitement is Pixel FC, a team made up of talented ex-footballers, presenters and content creators who have been handpicked by Google Pixel to increase the visibility of women’s football and further the game. As part of this initiative, they’ve jetted over to Sydney to document their on-the-ground experiences of the women's football events via their Google Pixel phones, while bringing us snippets of their travel diaries – culture, scenery and culinary highlights included – along the way. Here, ELLE dives into their camera rolls.
First time for everything
Alex Bailess is no stranger to travel. A retired footballer, content creator and videographer for her former club, Hashtag United, means her schedule involves plenty of train- and plane-hopping – meaning her trip to Australia to cover the women's football tournament is nothing she can’t handle. ‘My best tip for dealing with jet lag is to not get complacent,’ she says. ‘Don’t arrive thinking you’re ready to party – partying is for fools; you need sleep.’
For twin sisters Mollie and Rosie Kmita, ex-professional footballers-turned-broadcasting duo, experiencing life together is part and parcel of being a twin, but getting the opportunity to fly to Australia with Google Pixel is extra special. ‘Our favourite day so far was shooting our first match day episode for Pixel FC,’ they told us. ‘We woke up, headed straight to the beach to grab breakfast, then had our first-ever surf lesson at Bondi beach. Surfing done, we finished the day by watching England beat Denmark at the Sydney Football Stadium. It was the most incredible experience.’
Alex, meanwhile, has been experiencing the local wildlife in between her coverage of the tournament. ‘On my first day, I went to an animal sanctuary to feed kangaroos and meet koala bears up-close,’ she says. ‘I then boat-tripped through the city, ate some woodfired pizza and watched England pick up their first three points against Haiti.’
Hot spots and hot takes
For locals and visitors alike, Bondi Icebergs Club is a place to swim, join a sunrise yoga class or enjoy a drink on the terrace at golden hour. And both Rosie and Mollie were left in awe of one of Sydney’s crowning jewels. ‘It’s an amazing outdoor swimming pool found at the southern end of Bondi Beach. Everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime.’
The Club also presents the perfect place to cool off after a walk from neighbouring Coogee Beach, along the well-known (and absurdly beautiful) cliff-top coastal path. However, Alex warns, ‘You’ll need to allow at least two hours for plenty of sunset photos.’ In fact, she says, she became so obsessed with capturing the perfect sundowner snap that her camera roll is now full of them.
‘With the Google Pixel, what I love is that you can easily increase or decrease the warmth and the contrast before taking a picture. The Night Sight setting is great for capturing these beautiful Australian sunsets, while the Photo Unblur tool is my best friend – especially when I get too carried away with the goal celebrations.’
Part of the tournament
For Alex, the trip with Pixel FC has been about so much more than just supporting the England team. It’s been about immersing herself in an overall feeling of togetherness and joy.
‘I still can’t believe I’m at the Women’s World Cup. To experience this with the Pixel FC team on the other side of the world is absolute bucket-list material,’ she says. ‘I’m seizing every opportunity. I’ve tried to watch games and meet fans from all different nations. My highlight so far was being in and among the Colombia superfans in their massive 2-1 win over a strong Germany side. They created the best atmosphere I’ve experienced at a game so far and even dressed me in their team hat and flags to help me fit in. For me, that sense of camaraderie is my favourite part of football.’
For twins Mollie and Rosie, having amazing technology at their fingertips has made their wanderlust content creation process almost effortless. ‘The quality of the Google Pixel camera has really elevated the content we’re able to share with our followers and enhanced our storytelling capabilities,’ says Mollie.
‘Amazing features like Magic Eraser, Super Res Zoom, Photo Unblur and Night Sight have meant we’ve spent far less time worrying about the quality of our shots. We know this phone has us covered.’
Flat whites and fresh seafood
Sydney is renowned for its eclectic foodie scene. From the delectable array of fresh seafood available across the Sydney Fish Markets to the city’s unrivalled hipster cafés churning out flat whites and oversized pastries, there is deliciousness to be found on every corner.
For Pixel FC, the brunch options have been endless. ‘For Instagram-worthy content, it’s essential to book brunch at one of the many cafés near Bondi or Bronte Beach,’ recommends Alex. ‘Here, the pancakes come decorated with fresh fruit, ice cream and edible flowers.’
‘Another must-visit for any foodie is a little Japanese cafe called Oh! Matcha in Haymarket that serves the most delicious Japanese-Thai fusion food,’ she adds.
End game
Reflecting on their trip, Alex, Mollie and Rosie are all in agreement on one thing – that it’s been an unforgettable experience. ‘We’ve been working really hard to create top content, covering the best of the football and capturing the mix of different cultures that can be found here at the tournament,’ says Alex. ‘The Pixel FC girls are great and I’m so excited to keep sharing experiences with them.’
‘Getting the opportunity to travel to Australia to cover the Women’s World Cup and provide fans with amazing content focused around our Lionesses is a dream come true,’ adds Mollie.
Follow Pixel FC’s personal highlights on Instagram: Alex, Mollie and Rosie.
Learn more about Google's Pixel FC today
*Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur require Google photos app. May not work on all image elements. Super Res Zoom not available for all camera apps or modes.
