‘Opportunities are endless’ – Chelsea’s Kerr and Arsenal’s Catley discuss Matildas’ growth | OneFootball

While Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Steph Catley have been away on international duty with Australia, the nation have been celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the first recorded public women’s football match.

On 24 September 1921, North Brisbane and South Brisbane faced-off in a game which was attended by 10,000 spectators. Since that moment, the game has gone from strength-to-strength in Australia with the English game now also reaping the rewards with the likes of Kerr and Catley showcasing their talents in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League. Other than the home nations and the Republic of Ireland, Australia is the biggest provider of exports to the English game thanks to the development of the W-League and The Commonwealth Bank Matildas.

Chelsea forward Kerr won her 100th senior international cap this week, an excellent achievement for any player and she recognises the growth that has been seen in the game even in her 13 years as a senior.

“Women’s football has changed completely since I got involved,” Kerr told Football Media Australia. “I think there is a lot more respect for the women’s game, there is a lot more representation of women’s footballers around the world, not just in Australia.

“Our fanbase has grown immensely. From when I started out, I can’t remember many fans in the stadium but now, whenever we play at home (Australia) it is amazing to feel that family community and love from the Matildas fanbase.”

Also speaking at the 100-anniversary event was Arsenal defender Catley. She said that football in her native Australia has grown to the point where the opportunities are endless for young players making the grade.

She said “The message that I would pass on to the future generation of Matildas is that we are now in an era in women’s football where they have access to everything. People are interested in what they are doing and women’s football has come so far so the opportunities are endless.

“Never take that for granted, take the opportunities that come your way and love what you are doing. It is amazing to be a Matilda in any generation, any era but where football is now in Australia for women, it has come so far and they can really reap the benefits of that.”

After representing The Commonwealth Bank Matildas against the Republic of Ireland in midweek, the attention now turns to this weekend’s domestic action for Kerr and Catley with Chelsea travelling to Manchester United and Arsenal hosting Manchester City.

Source: Football Media Australia – Official Press Release