My Westfield Matildas Story: Steph Catley – ‘This is our chance to show Australia football is our sport’

Steph Catley believes a successful FIFA Women’s World Cup for the Westfield Matildas could have a profound affect on the game in Australia.

In a series of exclusive interviews for Matildas.com.au, we will be catching up with members of Ante Milicic's 23-player squad in the build-up to the tournament in France.

Today we hear from versatile defender Catley, who is about to take part in her second FIFA Women’s World Cup™.

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The 25-year-old has allowed herself to dream about what winning the tournament would mean, not only to the players, but the whole of Australia.

“To be able to [win the cup] with these girls and these players that I have grown up with and played with since I was 13, 14 would be the ultimate,” Catley said.

“It would be holding up the ultimate prize with your family and I don’t think there is anything better than that.

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“From this World Cup campaign, I think our team has the ability to instil a belief in Australia that we are a strong footballing nation, that we can beat the world’s best and be one of the world’s best, if not the best.

“This is our opportunity to show the rest of the world and especially Australia, that football is our sport.”

Steph Catley in action against Brazil at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada
Steph Catley in action against Brazil at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada

In Catley’s first FIFA World Cup™ experience in Canada in 2015, the Westfield Matildas advanced from a tricky group to eventually record their first-ever knockout stage win, beating Brazil 1-0 in the Round of 16.

“It was something that I had worked towards probably my entire career. And it’s been continuing on from that moment,” Catley said.

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“As a team we created a lot of buzz from that tournament….we played against some of the powerhouses of women’s football and we performed really well and we really took it to some of those teams.”

Watch the full interview with Catley in the video at the top of the page.

World Cup France 2019™ – Group C – Australia Matches

Australia v Italy
Date: Sunday, 9 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes
Kick-off: 9.00pm AEST (1.00pm local time, same day)

Australia v Brazil
Date: Friday, 14 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Kick-off: 2.00am AEST (6.00pm local time, Thursday 13 June)

Jamaica v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
Kick-off: 5.00am AEST (9.00pm local time, Tuesday 18 June)

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