Western Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder Katie Gill has been named as co-captain of the Australian women’s football team by new coach Hesterine de Reus.
Gill will share the leadership role with Matildas defender Clare Polkinghorne as the team embarks on a new era following the departure of long-term coach Tom Sermani.
Having co-captains is an unusual situation for the national team but de Reus said her aim was to share the workload on her senior players.
“The reason that I have elected to have co-captains is that I like to share the load between the two players, although I expect all players to take leadership roles and responsibility on the pitch,” de Reus said.
“Kate will wear the armband onto the field whenever possible, but both will take on captaincy duties off the field as required.”
Polkinghorne admitted it was a surprise but said she would do whatever she could to help her teammates on and off the field.
“It was a good surprise,” Polkinghorne said. “Hesterine had a word with me and Katie and said she was looking at us for the captaincy roles. We’ve got a lot of leaders on the field but there has to be a captain and a vice-captain out there. I’m on honoured to be vice-captain; it’s a role I’m privileged to have and will be very proud of. If I can help the girls out a little bit, that’s half my job done.
“I always give 100 per cent and help the girls on and off the field, and if I can lead by example we can push that extra bit.”
– FFA
