Sam Kerr Football: Matildas captain to fast track next generation of stars with new program

Australia’s next Sam Kerr is set to receive the ultimate leg-up in their journey to emulate the Matildas captain. ELIZA REILLY reveals the launch of Sam Kerr Football.

The next Sam Kerr may be closer than we think, with the Matildas captain’s launch of Sam Kerr Football. Picture: Supplied

Australia’s next Sam Kerr is set to receive the ultimate leg-up in their journey to emulate the Matildas captain with the launch of Sam Kerr Football.

In the wake of the Matildas’ history-making World Cup campaign, Kerr has launched her own football school to bottle her legacy and invest back into the game she loves.

The program is designed for girls and boys ages 3-14, aiming to capture Kerr’s lived experience and her vision to inspire the next generation of kids to fall in love with the world game.

Through qualified coaches, who will be hand-picked by Kerr, Sam Kerr Football will leverage the Chelsea striker’s knowledge and expertise. It will also incorporate lessons and essentials that Kerr wished she’d had as an emerging footballer.

Kerr is hoping she can impart all the tools she was unable to access as a young female footballer. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Kerr will also share her development journey and the steps that have led to her becoming one of the best players in the world. Participants will not only develop their skills but work on their health and wellbeing, mental skills such as resilience, and off-field extras like nutrition and recovery.

The program is designed to fast-track and foster the next wave of Matildas and Socceroos, with Sam Kerr Football also set to prepare and connect players to elite development pathways.

Kerr, 29, said she was excited to play a part in the development of the next generation of football stars.

“I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Sam Kerr Football,” Kerr said. “Growing up, there weren’t opportunities for me to develop my game in a way that allowed me to be my best.

Kerr overcame hurdles in her early career that she now hopes to eradicate. Picture: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

“It wasn’t until I turned pro, that I learnt things like how to nourish my body to perform at my best or how to manage my mental wellbeing. My hope is that delivering a comprehensive program that is more than just skill development will give young players the best chance to live out their potential as a player.

“Being in the position I’m in today, I want to give back to the sport I love and to my young fans. It’s an incredible privilege to be able to share what I have learned to better the sport, to build a legacy, and to inspire and connect with the next generation of Australian footballers.

“The program will be developed under my guidance with support from the best in the game both in Australia and around the world.”

Sam Kerr Football will launch in late 2023 through selected local partners with the aim of growing locally, nationally and then globally. Interested players, coaches or commercial partners can find out more at www.samkerrfootball.com.

Originally published as Sam Kerr Football: Matildas captain to fast track next generation of stars with new program