KAITLIN’S EARLY FOOTBALL CAREER

A passionate footballer from a young age, Kaitlin has always aspired to play at the highest level and was selected to the FootballSA Fulltime Pathway program at 12 years old. During her youth career, she represented Football South Australia at multiple National Youth Championships, in addition to participating at School Sport Nationals in both the Under 12 and Under 18 girls’ teams.

THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF SPORT

After a standout year in which she captained the South Australian U16 team at Nationals, and was later named as a joint winner (along with one of her greatest friends) of FootballSA Women’s National Premier League ‘Reserves Player of Year’, Kaitlin was excited at the prospect of breaking into the Senior NTC team the following season. Sadly, early in the season, tragedy struck and her playing career came to a standstill following a significant injury in which she ruptured her ACL.

A long rehab following ACL surgery was made even more challenging by the fact that she was in her final year at High School requiring her to balance exam study and difficulty with school attendance, while she navigated the challenges of recovery and the loss of playing the sport she loved. Kaitlin continued to attend every training and supported her team mates at every match – not missing one game the whole season.

RESILIANCE LEADS TO OPPORTUNITY

A year later she returned to the NTC program with a focus on rebuilding her game as she looked to where football may take her in the future.

Towards the end of the season, Kaitlin accepted an invite to join a team playing in the ‘Rale Rasic Joeys Mini World Cup’ tournament, and travelled to Inverell, NSW in October. Her performance during the tournament confirmed her selection to the ‘Team of the Tournament’ which travels to Germany on a Football Tour in 2025. Not only will she train at some of the greatest venues in Germany, and play against German teams, Kaitlin is one of only two players that have been invited to trial for selection to a club competing in the 2.Frauen–Bundesliga, meaning she could stay for the year if successful!

A LOVE OF ALL THINGS FOOTBALL

Outside of her playing career, Kaitlin is devoted to all things football. She is a well respected referee and a member of the FootballSA Referee Academy. In addition, she volunteers as a coach at her junior club where in 2024 she led her Community Women’s Div 4 team to their first ever premiership. She is always the first to offer help in the club canteen, or to clean the storage shed and is a positive role model for the club’s junior players.

At University, she is currently studying a Degree in Sport Science, providing another pathway for involvement in football in the future.

An advocate for equity within the sport, Kaitlin is destined to impact the female football environment through whatever career pathway she chooses.

YOUR HELP IS APPRECIATED!

Whether for one month, one year, or even longer, Kaitlin’s trip to Germany will provide immense opportunities for exposure to football at the highest level, cultural enrichment and so much more.

Kaitlin is seeking support with the financial obligations required to make this dream trip a reality. Including airfare, accommodation, uniform and more, the associated costs for the first month are over $10,000.

Every donation, no matter how small, will help fund this trip that will not only be life changing for Kaitlin, but will help support the impact she will make as a young leader within female football.