Sam Kerr takes Australia’s football future in her own hands

Sam Kerr and the Matildas have been the name on everyone’s lips for the past month but the Aussie skipper is about to confirm her legacy.

Football fans around Australia are desperate for the sport in this country to ride the momentum of the Women’s World Cup — and it appears Sam Kerr has the way forward

Australia was captivated by the Matildas’ semi-final charge throughout the tournament, attracting millions of eyes to the game.

But the Matildas captain is looking to secure the future of the game in Australia, launching her own football schools, which will be named Sam Kerr Football.

The 29-year-old superstar is hoping she can give kids following in her footsteps the leg up she didn’t get when she was coming through.

“I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Sam Kerr Football,” she said.

“Growing up, there weren’t opportunities for me to develop my game in a way that allowed me to perform at my best or how to manage my mental wellbeing.

“My hope is that delivery of 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.”

While Kerr is arguably the biggest name in Australian football — men’s or women’s — she had a brutal World Cup campaign.

The next Sam Kerr may be closer than we think after the Matildas captain launched Sam Kerr Football. Pic: Supplied

A calf injury in the lead up to the tournament saw her sit on the sidelines throughout the group stages, with Australia seemingly hanging on every updated.

Kerr only got onto the field in the round of 16 clash against Denmark and didn’t start until the semi-final, where she scored arguably the goal of the tournament.

But her teammates stood up, showing the depth of the Matildas as they made it all the way to the semi-finals for the first time.

While the Matildas lost to England and Sweden to finish fourth in the World Cup, there were unprecedented scenes with record crowds as well as the highest TV audience in ratings history in Australia for the semi-final.

Plenty of kids want to be the next Sam Kerr. Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Having already inspired fans young and old, Kerr said the school was her way of showing her gratitude.

“Being in the position I’m in today, I want to give back to the sport I love and to my young fans,” she said.

“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.”

As yet, the possible locations have yet to be unveiled but Kerr will launch in late 2023 and has aims at growing locally, nationally and then globally, showing the international appeal of the Chelsea superstar.

However, the program will be for children aged three to 14 and online registrations for the academy are already open.

Originally published as Sam Kerr takes Australia’s football future in her own hands