Cortnee Vine, the hero of the Matildas, has decided to remain a supporter of A-League Women’s football despite growing interest in her services from overseas. Despite expectations that Vine would follow her Australia teammates and seek success abroad, she surprised the football world by re-signing with Sydney FC. Vine expressed her belief in the A-League, stating that it has pushed her to be a better player and that she wouldn’t be where she is today without it. She sees the A-League as a league that will only continue to improve in the future.
Vine has become an unofficial ambassador for Australia’s domestic competition, using her newfound fame from the World Cup to inspire young girls to pursue careers in the A-League. She highlighted how she is now recognized on the street and how this recognition is something she thought would never happen for women’s football in Australia. Vine has a positive outlook on the future of women’s football in Australia, hoping that the momentum from the World Cup will encourage more young girls to strive to become Matildas and play for Sydney FC.
Sydney FC has launched their Female Football Pathway, aiming to provide aspiring young players between the ages of 11 and 13 with a clear path from grassroots football to the professional game. The plan is to follow the trajectory of successful leagues like England’s Women’s Super League and the USA’s National Women’s Soccer League. Vine, speaking from her own experience of not having a clear pathway when she was coming through, believes that having a program like this will show girls that they can become professional players and follow the pathway into the A-League.
While Vine did not comment on her future plans beyond the 2023-24 season, she did express her commitment to Sydney FC for the upcoming season. She stated that she wouldn’t consider joining any other A-League team apart from Sydney FC. The winger is focused on the present and is grateful for the opportunities she has in the A-League. Vine believes that the sky is the limit for her and other aspiring young players in the league.