By JARROD POTTER
NAZERETH College student Catrina ’Cat’ Mastroianni will don the Big V for the third time in her football journey.
Mastroianni, 16, from Rowville, earned her place in the School Sports Victoria under-16 girls football team and is eager to get out and represent Victoria again.
“It’s always a good experience and it means a lot as I can experience it with new girls and play for our state,” Mastroianni said.
“I played for them twice previously in the SSV under-16s and the under-18s development squad.”
She made the cut from an initial trial group of 150 girls and impressed in the 50-person trial match last month to earn her place in the team.
Mastroianni also plays for the Berwick Football Club in the South East Juniors Youth Girls competition – and ran out for her 100th match on the weekend.
Keeping her busy as well is her recruitment to the AFL’s newly created Women’s High Performance Academy – a four-day on and off field development program, assisting them in advancing their football to elite levels under the guidance of some of the AFL’s best talent development coaches.
Preferring to play off a half forward flank – Mastroianni has kept her football philosophy simple, something that will hopefully transfer across seamlessly for the national championships.
“I just like running at the ball and hopefully kicking a few goals and playing well for the team,” she said.
The School Sports Australia national under-16 girls football championships are held this year in Darwin, Northern Territory from 10-18 August.
