Caitlin’s on target

JOEL RITCHIE

FOOTBALL prodigy Caitlin Foord recently played four games for the Australian under 17s women’s football side … as a 13-year-old.

Caitlin, who attends Illawarra Sports High, played four games with the Australian squad in Canberra.

The pint-sized striker didn’t receive any game time in the team’s first 4-nil loss against their New Zealand counterparts.

However, she played a full game against a select ACT side and 10 minutes in Australia’s second four-nil loss to the New Zealand under 17s.

Caitlin, who lives at Lake South, also played 20 minutes against the Young Matildas (under 20s) to cap her first stint in national colours.

“Playing for Australia was great, I’ve always wanted to do that,” Caitlin said.

“It was a big jump up to play against more experienced players.

“The game against the Young Matildas was tough; they were really experienced and really big.

Caitlin said she felt at ease despite playing against 19-year-olds.

“I didn’t feel out of place and I knew a few of the girls I was playing with from NSW teams,” she said.

The four-game camp is part of a development program focussing on the 2010 under 17s Women’s World Cup.

Asian qualification matches are due to start later this year.

“I’d love to be there; I will be 16 by 2010 and will just have to keep working on my game,” Caitlin said.

“It was great to play against more experienced players and see what they do.”

Caitlin said the camp was the biggest achievement of her career to date, which included being selected in the NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) open girls side last year.

Caitlin plays competition leaders Sutherland Sharks under 14s in the State Women’s Premier League and has scored four goals in as many games.

Her next major tournament is a talent identification tournament in Coffs Harbour in July.

Caitlin was scheduled to play for the Metro NSW under 15s at a similar tournament in Bathurst before being called up to Australian under 17 duties.

In 2007, Caitlin made the NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) open girls football team, the South Coast open team, was the highest goal scorer for the Illawarra Stingrays and was named in select XI after representing NSW metro in the Friendship Games.

Football isn’t her only sporting talent – in futsal Caitlin was selected in the NSW under 13s to play in the Australian Championships in Canberra.

Caitlin was a member of the Wollongong Devils under 14s touch team for the State Cup made the 2007 NSW CHS cross-country championships.