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From the stands to the starting lineup: Kaitlyn Torpey's meteoric rise

 

From the stands to the starting lineup: Kaitlyn Torpey's meteoric rise

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Kaitlyn Torpey vs China PR

When the whistle blew at the Matildas’ recent qualifying match against Uzbekistan, Kaitlyn Torpey achieved a lifelong dream: to become an Olympian.

It’s been a rapid rise for the 24-year-old, whose journey to the international stage has been extraordinary.

Only five months ago, the Melbourne City defender departed the A-League and moved to the US to join NWSL team San Diego Wave in a record-setting transfer understood to be worth $75,000.

Australian women’s transfer fees have not traditionally been paid let alone reported, but industry sources suggested City’s fee was likely to be around double the previous benchmark. It reflects the growing value in women’s football.

The Queensland native has quickly risen to prominence for the reigning champion.

"It's been a crazy year for me. Sometimes it doesn't feel like it's all really hit me yet," Kaitlyn says.

“It’s been amazing, but I feel like I haven't had three weeks where there hasn’t been a massive shock or something massive hasn't changed.

“I can’t complain. I'm definitely living my dream.”

Kaitlyn’s passion for football has been unwavering since childhood, scribbling in her journal her aspirations to be a Matilda and an Olympian.

“They’ve both been my goals for longer than I can remember when I was a little kid,” she says.

"I wrote my goals down and then wrote down what I can actually do to get there. 

“Within the last year, probably around the World Cup, I watched and thought, no, ‘I can actually do this’. I need to push myself as hard as possible to do that.”

Scoring in her second appearance for the Matildas was a dream come true for Australian Cap 227. She came off the bench 22 minutes into the game and converted from a corner within seconds.

“You dream of scoring a goal in your first or second game, but you don’t think it’s actually going to happen,” she says.

“Then it happened; I literally couldn't have asked for a better game.”

With a unique on-field celebration, Kaitlyn maintains a strong connection to her family.

"My family and I do this little cute celebration thing where I kind of rub my chest or rub over the logo,” she says.

“It’s always been a thing I do with my family; it just means I love them.

"I did that after the goal…that was for them, that goal and this little celebration that goes with it that only they knew what it meant."

Wearing the Australian jersey number 20 is something Kaitlyn cherishes.

"I'm never going to take it for granted getting to put on the Australian jersey every game,” she says.

“Seeing your name on the back of it. Add the Olympic rings, I don’t think it gets much better than that.”

The Matildas’ Paris campaign commences on Friday, 26 July 2024 at 3:00 am AEST, when they take on the Rio 2016 gold medallist, Germany.

Sarah Dyce

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