EXCLUSIVE: A new social media platform called GirlsFC is launching on Facebook to coincide with the new W-League season on the back of Matildas' World Cup buzz.
Set to go live in around two weeks, it will be a mouthpiece for the W-League and Matildas featuring news, tips and drills, behind the scenes stories, features on players, nutritional advice and competitions and promotions.
Sydney FC and Matildas Asian Cup star Kyah Simon, 19, told au.fourfourtwo.com that various Matildas will be online to interact with fans and help drive more interest in women’s football as the World Cup in Germany fast approaches.
“Hopefully it will help get the message out that we’re looking to get the participation rates up starting from grassroots. The game is just growing and more players will raise the quality which hopefully will reflect in our performances on the world stage in years to come,” the 19-year-old said.
The W-League kicks off tomorrow and Simon could be set for a striking role alongside fellow Matilda Leena Khamis in Saturday’s season opener between Brisbane Roar and the sky blues at Ballymore.
With star striker Sarah Walsh out of the Sydney side with a season ending injury, coach Alen Stajcic may look at Simon to fill that role.
“Walshy is a great player and big shoes to fill but I’m going to try the best I can and if we gel as a team hopefully we can come away with some good results," said Kerr.
“We don’t have the same pressure as our A-League boys so I think that will make defending our title a little easier. But no other team in the A-League and W-League has ever defended successfully their title.
“So it’ll be tough and every team will be out there to beat us – if not smash us – but we’re going to face our opposition with as much force as we can.”
Saturday is a grand final rematch and Simon knows what’s at stake in a league that’s very much a sprint with just 12 weeks of games before the finals series.
Key Sydney defender Servet Uzunlar will be unavailable till mid-season when she returns from her club commitments in Denmark.
But with new keeper Dimi Poulos and former Chicago Red Stars defender Lydia Vandenbergh adding an extra touch of international experience, Simon feels the sky blues have a shot at successfully defending their W-League crown.
Sydney train on Friday morning and fly up on game day which will be a challenge for the team to adapt to the conditions but Simon is confident the sky blue girls can lift for the TV clash.
She added: “Saturday is a grand final rematch, we’ll go for a win and we’re up for it.”
* Brisbane Roar and champions Sydney FC at Ballymore Stadium, broadcast live and exclusive on ABC1 at 3.00pm AEDT (Match kicks off in Brisbane at 2.00pm local).
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