Learning curve for footballers

The NFF side at the M Sports Cup in Sydney.

Warkworth AFC footballers Katy Gothard and Halle Gravatt have returned from Sydney’s M Sports Cup more experienced and knowledgeable about the game.The pair played in the NFF team at Valentine Sports Park where they failed to win a game, but fought closely losing 3-1 to the eventual winners Blacktown Spartans.

They say handling the physicality of the opposition was a real challenge.

“The toughest challenge for us was keeping the ball from the other teams, as they were bigger and stronger,” Katy says.

The tournament incorporated a professional feel for the teams, something the girls weren’t used to.

“The biggest thing was how you recover between games. What you eat and how you rest makes a difference when you’re playing every day,” Katy says.

The girls also got to experience an ice bath, which wasn’t exactly a highlight.

Both girls feel they improved with every game as they settled into playing against some quality teams.

“Going on a tour is way harder than just playing your weekend game because you are playing at least two games every day with an hour in between. You are waking up really early and going to bed reasonably late,” Halle says.

“I feel like my own game has improved a lot from the tournament experience.”

“My goal is now to make the NZ U17 girls squad, but that is a big step up and would be another three to four years away.”

The third local player chosen for the trip, Zali Taylor, was concussed during a the match prior to the tournament and could not attend.