Matildas and Sydney FC midfielder Cortnee Vine full of praise for A-League women’s competition

Matildas star Cortnee Vine is preparing for what could be her farewell women’s A-League season.

Matildas star Cortnee Vine won’t commit to playing in the A-League beyond this season but insists that the only Australian club she will represent going forward is Sydney FC.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who was a member of the Matildas squad that finished fourth at the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, recently recommitted to the Sky Blues for another season

It has led to her becoming arguably the new face of the national women’s competition and being at the forefront of Sydney FC’s “Female Football Pathway”, a program to help provide more opportunities for women playing football.

Matildas and Sydney FC star Cortnee Vine (right) signs her autograph for a young fan. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“The A-League is a great league and … it pushes me to be better and I wouldn’t be in the position I am now if it wasn’t for the A-League,” Vine said on Tuesday.

“Building on the momentum from the World Cup, we’re hoping that the young girls come through and also want to be Matildas and play for Sydney FC.

“The Women’s World Cup showed us what we can do without pathways such as this, so imagine what we can do with it … the sky’s the limit.”

Vine said “everyone” knew who she was when she ventured out in public thanks to exposure provided by the World Cup, which was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

“It’s something that I couldn’t imagine happening for women’s football in Australia,” she said.

“I have a big smile on my face thinking about how many people came to those (World Cup) games and how many Aussies … watched from home.”

The new A-League women’s season kicks off on October 14 when Vine’s Sydney FC team host arch rivals and her former club Western Sydney at Allianz Stadium.

“I’m here for the season upcoming. (I’m) not sure about the future yet, but I wouldn’t be going anywhere (in the A-League) other than Sky Blue.”