Matildas star Kyah Simon hoping to help inspire next generation of players

SHE was inspired by Cathy Freeman and now, 16 years later, Kyah Simon will get the opportunity to inspire another generation of young Australian women.

SHE was inspired by Cathy Freeman and now, 16 years later, Kyah Simon will get the opportunity to inspire another generation of young Australian women.

The undefeated Matildas arrived home on Friday from their successful tournament in Japan that saw them qualify for the Olympics for the first time since Athens 2004.

For star striker Simon, becoming an Olympian in Rio later this year will be the pinnacle of her career, which is why she was so moved by a congratulatory video message gold medallist Freeman sent the team.

“That just really resonated with me. I remember the race like it was yesterday,” Simon said.

“We watched over it and then for her to acknowledge what we’d achieved, 16 years down the track, is massive.

“It definitely brought a tear to my eye and took me back to when I was that eight-year-old girl watching her run that race and now I’ve got a chance to do that do that for young girls this year all around Australia and indigenous girls.

“I’ve been to two World Cups and a lot of major tournaments, but this is my childhood dream. “Playing for Australia was one and going to World Cups, but then being at the pinnacle of world sport is just another step. It resonates so much with me, an Olympics, because that’s how my dream began — watching that 2000 Olympics and that’s really what inspired me.

“I’m just super proud as a team to be able to say we’re going to be Olympians and we’re going there with the rest of the Australian elite athletes and mingling with the rest of the world’s best athletes.”

What the Matildas have achieved is only just beginning to sink in, but for coach Alen Stajcic focus has already turned to how he can best prepare his team for medal contention. When the new rankings come out Australia will find themselves sitting just below the top three nations, but Stajcic believes an Olympic medal is well within the realms of possibility.

The highest level of preparation will be required and Stajcic is confident he will receive the support he needs from Football Federation Australia.

“I’m sure FFA will support us in the way we need and it will be great to get their support,” Stajcic said.

“One thing is getting the funding, but it’s a real jigsaw to get the players back when we need them. I know there’s a two week window before the Olympics that we can access the players, but really I’d like three or four weeks with them, so that will be a little bit of bargaining effort.

“We’ve got to get back to FFA and set out the plan, hopefully we’ll do that next week and sort out exactly what we’ve got to work with — how we’re going to work around FIFA windows and players going overseas.

It’s very tough. We’re dealing with clubs in America, there are a couple of players in Germany, Japan, Sweden, and some players are here domestically.”

Originally published as Matildas star Kyah Simon hoping to help inspire next generation of players