Sydney FC winger Courtney Vine explains packed schedule before this year’s FIFA World Cup

Withthe FIFA Women’s World Cup is just months away, women’s football has a packed schedule in the lead up. Sydney FC winger Cortnee Vine explains the exciting changes over the next year.

TUESDAY’S unveiling of the official ball for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup marked 177 days until kick-off.

Australia and New Zealand are jointly hosting the tournament, with the Matildas’ first group stage match to be held in Sydney on July 20.

Though the event is right around the corner, Australian women’s football has a packed schedule in the lead up.

The Matildas line up for the national anthem before the International friendly match between the Australia Matildas and Sweden. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The Cup of Nations, featuring four top-50 footballing sides in Australia, Spain, Czech Republic and Jamaica is set to be held next month, with Sydney, Gosford and Newcastle hosting matches.

The A League Women is also just over halfway into its 2022-23 season, with Western United currently at the top of the table in just its first year in the competition.

Sydney FC and Matildas winger Cortnee Vine is in the midst of it all, competing in weekly A League Women’s matches while also preparing for lots of national duty in the near future.

Vine only made her Matildas debut a year ago, and she said it’s been a whirlwind.

“A lot’s happened in that year for me, I haven’t gotten the chance to sit down and reflect on how big of a year it’s been, and now it’s just going to be an even bigger year!”

Cortnee Vine of the Matildas controls the ball during the International Friendly match between the Australia Matildas and Thailand at Central Coast Stadium. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

She confirmed her focus is fully on the Sky Blues’ ALW campaign, though with everything coming up, that could quickly change.

“That’s something that doesn’t come around very often, getting to represent your country.” she said about getting another Matildas call-up.

“So if I do get selected in (the Cup of Nations squad), that’s when my focus will shift to Aus land. It just keeps going!”

Following the World Cup in July, the A League Women’s will have another massive change, with a twelfth team in the Central Coast Mariners joining, and the league expanding to a full home-and-away season.

Vine said finally getting a full season with 12 competitive teams is something she and other players have wanted for a very long time.

Cortnee Vine of Sydney FC. Photo: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

“Its something we’ve wanted since, I don’t know, since I’ve been in the league, like seven or eight years now?”

Vine is especially excited for the prospect of playing in front of more home fans, and for a dedicated schedule for players.

Playing back-to-back NPL and A Leagues matches she admitted has been hard, and having a three-month gap between seasons will be hugely beneficial.

“It makes you hungry. The last five years I’ve just been doing back-to-back NPL and A League, which isn’t bad, but you don’t have much time to reset.”

Vine will be back with Sydney FC for the remainder of the A League Women’s season, with the Cup of Nations in February before the FIFA Women’s World Cup later this year.

Originally published as Sydney FC winger Courtney Vine explains packed schedule before this year’s FIFA World Cup