Bundaberg footballer Cassandra Koch joins Sampaguitas in Philippines

A Bundaberg footballer who has just returned from beating Greece as part of the Philippine national team says she hopes to inspire other Filipino girls to give the sport a go.

Cassandra Koch had the opportunity to play for the Philippines.

When Bundaberg’s Cassandra Koch started playing for the East Magpies almost 10 years ago at the age of 13 she could never have dreamed it would lead her into an international game.

But that’s exactly what happened after she answered a call from the Philippines NRL.

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“The opportunity come about when the Philippines NRL put a post up asking an expression of interest to any Filipino ladies that would like to be a a part of the first Philippines Sampaguitas women’s side,” Koch said.

The team, the Philippines Sampaguitas, went up against Greece and came away with a stunning 38-0 victory.

“I played half back and even scored a try and played the whole 80 minutes,” Koch said.

“The most stand-out moment was definitely scoring a try against Greece and NRLW star Renee Targett came and had a chat with the Sampaguita girls and asked us what it meant to represent the Philippines which made us want the win more than ever.”

Cassandra Koch joined a team of Filipino women who went head-to-head with Greece. They won 38-0.

Koch says growing up she looked up to role models such as Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis because of how smart, strong and quick they were on the footy field.

She hopes her experience of playing an international match can also help inspire other women.

“ When girls see other female athletes achieving in sports it inspires them to be more confident with themselves in knowing that it can be them one day inspiring the next generation,” she said.

“Now seeing how far the NRLW is going I’d love to be apart of it one day.”

And Koch says it’s a special moment for Filipino women as well.

“I hope that one day I’ll encourage a young Filipino girl to look up to me and follow my footsteps and that's when I’ll know I’ve done my job,” she said.

Koch is now back in Bundy.

She played for the Bundaberg Bears in 2022, but isn’t sure if there’ll be a comp to play this year.

This no doubt this rising star is one to watch.