Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has launched her very own football academy in her homeland Australia in a bid to cement the legacy of this summer's FIFA Women's World Cup.
Australia co-hosted the tournament alongside New Zealand and the Matildas captured the hearts of their nation as they progressed all the way to the semi-finals for the first time in their history. They eventually fell to defeat against England, but Kerr was on the scoresheet in the 3-1 loss with what was arguably one of the goals of the tournament.
The 29-year-old battled back from a calf injury to feature in the latter stages of the Matildas' historic run, but the legacy left from the tournament has been a motivating factor for the team. Kerr has now launched a programme aimed at youngsters aged 3-14 in her homeland to help inspire the next generation of footballers, both boys and girls.
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"I'm thrilled to announce the launch of Sam Kerr Football," Kerr said. "Growing up, there weren't opportunities for me to develop my game in a way that allowed me to be my best.
"It wasn't until I turned professional, that I learnt things like how to nourish my body to perform at my best or how to manage my mental well-being. My hope is that delivering 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.
"Being in the position I'm in today, I want to give back to the sport I love and to my young fans. 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."
Kerr will return to the UK this week as Chelsea ramp up their preparations for the upcoming 2023/24 season. The London club kick off the new campaign on October 1 at Stamford Bridge against rivals Tottenham.
