World Footy News

 [youtube:krK2oxPzJcM]

Katie Klatt’s rapid ascent to the top of the US womens footy scene in just two years was remarkable, now she has a chance to take the next step up. That is to head to Australia.

 

With the women’s game in Australia getting set for the debut season in 2017 of their own national league, they are lining up the talent to start strong. That includes bringing on talented athletes from other sports or those that have not seriously played footy until now. 

Following the combine model used by the AFL internationally in NZ, China, Europe and the USA to try to find new talent for the men’s competition, the AFL is running these talent spotting combines in Australia’s capital cities. The best prospects will be placed in academies and with state league teams aimed at fast tracking them to be part of the extended women's exhibiton games (as played last year) and ultimately the 2017 National league.

 

The fact that Katie has played the game representing both Sacramento and the USA Freedom in a sense will put her ahead of many others at the combine who have played little footy previously, but it remains to be seen how much of that footy ability will count when it comes to the athletic testing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Should Katie be placed with the academy in Sydney and with a team, the whole setup of the 2017 league is still quite uncertain and there is a good chance that league will effectively be amateur in the sense that the players will not be paid. This may bring in visa issues, employment problems and make the whole transition quite tricky for any internationals involved.

 

But first things first. The combine will be held in Sydney on February 21st. And Katie will not be the only American to attend. New York Magpies and Katie's USA Freedom teammate Kim Hemenway (pictured above marking in the red white and blue) will also be at the combine. Hemenway featured strongly for the US team at the 2014 International Cup proving to be a strong footballer in close and a goal kicking forward.  She was also named in the forward pocket in the women's 2014 World Team.

 

For more on Katie see Brian Barrish's excellent article on usafl.com http://usafl.com/news/20160130/kickin-with-klatt-unexpected-footy-journey