Young players from the East Bentleigh soccer club are barracking for the Matildas.Credit:Eddie Jim
Catley,29,shot to prominence by nailing a goal from the penalty spot in Australia’s 1-0 win over Ireland on day one of the tournament,a moment that captured the imagination of wannabe Matildas across the nation,particularly at her home club.
East Bentleigh did not have a program for girls when she started in the sport,so she joined Daniel’s team and continued to run around with the boys until heading to Sandringham in her early teens.
Just two years later,aged 15,she made her senior debut in the A-League with Melbourne Victory.
The growth of East Bentleigh SC is symbolic of how soccer has expanded during Catley’s time in the sport. The club now runs MiniRoos programs for boys and girls aged four to six,with its girls-only sessions attracting 10 to 15 participants on any given Saturday.
Steph Catley’s penalty proved the difference between the Matildas and Ireland in their World Cup opener.Credit:AP
Jason Hart,whose five-year-old daughter Charlotte is one of those MiniRoos participants,said having the Women’s World Cup in Australia was having a huge impact on the kids.
“It’s been massive. So,my daughter Charlotte,she’s been down[playing soccer] two years. Last year was[about] enjoying it but not really making the connection. But with the World Cup now,we’ve been to a few games,and she’s loving it,” he said. “She’s loving Steph but Sam Kerr’s her favourite.”