Interview with Katie Gill

Gill ready for the W-League | (Credit: Brett Klucznik)

Last weekend Perth striker Katie Gill proved why the Perth Glory Women's coaching staff were so pleased to have gained the services of the 24 year old.

Gill has spent the last two seasons in one of the toughest women's leagues in the world, the Swedish Damallsvenskan.  Back in Australia we spoke to Gill about her return and football.

Congratulations on your first goals with Perth Glory.  When you start with a new team it must feel good to get that monkey off your back?

That’s true.  Regardless, you always want to score and you always want to win.  As you said, its good to find the back of the net and to find it twice in the game is even better.

Considering the last game between the two sides it must have felt even better that those goals knocked off the defending champions?

Yeah, that was icing on the cake but I think the more important thing was just that the team played well together.  The girls deserved to win and they got a win.

You had a great season last year with Newcastle so why the move to Perth?

Well my family actually live in Perth and have been here for five years.  After I finished playing in Sweden I wanted to come home.  I thought why not?  Why not come to Perth.

You have come in late in to the season, what have been your impressions of the Glory?

I think the team is great and has some great foundations.  There are so many young faces in the team and that is really promising for the future.  They are a talented group of girls and in football terms their technique is fantastic.

It is always fun to play with players who want to play football.  I think it is their enjoyment of the game and on the weekend the girls showed that.

It’s the final match for Perth this weekend.  What does the team hope to get out of it?

It was great to win against Brisbane but it was just a step in the right direction.  Now its all about consistency.  The results previously have come down to young player mistakes and it is always going to be the case when you have a young squad.

Hopefully the girls will be really motivated and we can win again this week.

The Beginnings and football career

How did you get into football?

Well it is actually a weird one.  I just grew up in a street surrounded by boys and I guess we just played whatever sport was going on in the season.  When football came around that was the one I loved and the one that I stuck with.

Growing up did you ever consider it would be an option to play it professionally?

When I was younger it was dream but I always thought I would be playing professionally for the men.  I think by the time I turned 15 I quickly realised that there was girl’s team.

I always thought that maybe it was a possibility.  Really though in the women’s game you have to have something else going for you in the game.

You went across to Sweden initially with Lisa de Vanna and you went this season on your own.  How did you find your second season in Sweden?

I really enjoyed my time in Sweden and that was one of the main reasons I went back.  I mean the football is great and the culture surrounding football is great.  I just really loved the country itself.

It was a bit different being there on my own this time but I think I am really adaptable.  I enjoyed my time and made the most of it.

What is the difference between the Swedish League and the W-League?

The main things that come to mind is the intensity and the professionalism of the players.

I think it has a lot to do with their cultural values.  They definitely mimic what they do off the field on the field.

How has Swedish football impact and/or improved your game?

It’s really all about the mental toughness.  I think it is going in there and putting yourself in unfamiliar situations.  It’s just about really trying to work yourself out and hopefully coming out on top.

Are there any thoughts of playing in other league like the WPS?

Yeah its definitely something I would consider but it is a little bit difficult getting into that system.  It is basically a drafting system so really just have to be chosen.

In all honesty I love the Swedish season.  I think its great because it compliments the Aussie season.  I can play in Sweden and then come back and play in Australia and it doesn’t affect that much.

You play so much football through out the year so how do you keep from getting jaded?

It is a tough one at times.  I just like the training and I am at the gym as we speak.  That gives me a break from football.  It’s making sure you have something to do that occupies your time and keeps your brain active.

Also I do study.  I have been doing my Certificate IV in Fitness and I still at university.   I feel like I am dragging out the longest degree possible! I think I will be pushing the 10 year mark and hopefully I push it through in the next few years.

What are your plans for the next couple of months?

Next year we do have a very busy international season.  We have to qualify for the World Cup.

It’s an important year for women’s football in general in Australia.  Unfortunately the U17s and U20s haven’t made it through so I guess we are holding the hopes of women’s football in general.

It’s going to be tough but it will definitely make it more rewarding when we get there.