Matildas captain Sam Kerr launches football school following Women’s World Cup success

Fresh off a groundbreaking Women’s World Cup campaign, Matildas captain Sam Kerr is looking to help the next generation of footballers succeed and “build a legacy” of her own.

On Wednesday, Kerr announced the launch of her own football schools within Australia, appropriately named Sam Kerr Football.

The 29-year-old hopes to build on her legacy as a national sporting icon and give back to the game she loves, which has been thrust into the spotlight with the success of the Matildas in the recent tournament.

“I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Sam Kerr Football,” she said.

“Growing up, there weren’t opportunities for me to develop my game in a way that allowed me to perform at my best or how to manage my mental well-being.

“My hope is that delivery of a comprehensive program that is more than just skill development will give young players the best chance to live out their potential as a player.”

Kerr had a frustrating start to the FIFA Women’s World Cup with a nasty calf injury sidelining her as the Matildas made it through to the knockout stages.

She finally returned in the late stages of the team’s win over Denmark in the round of 16 and again in the history-making quarterfinal with over France.

A loss in the semi-final to England was followed by another defeat to Sweden in the third-place match in a bittersweet end to the tournament.

While they didn’t claim a podium finish, the Matildas were universally celebrated for their inspirational campaign in which women’s sport was embraced and celebrated on an unprecedented scale.

Kerr delivered one of the most incredible moments of the World Cup, scoring a long-range strike that was widely-recognised as an all-time Matildas highlight.

“Being in the position I’m in today, I want to give back to the sport I love and to my young fans,” she said.

“It’s an incredible privilege to be able to share what I have learned to better the sport, to build a legacy and to inspire and connect with the next generation of Australian footballers.

“The program will be developed under my guidance with support from the best in the game both in Australia and around the world.”

While possible locations are yet to be unveiled, Sam Kerr Football will launch in late 2023 with an aim to grow locally, nationally and then globally.