Westfield Matildas and Brisbane Roar star Katrina Gorry says she has her sights set on returning for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2023 as she takes a break from football to prepare for the birth of her first child in 2021.
Speaking to Daniel Garb and Robbie Cornthwaite on ABC Sport’s Grandstand Football Podcast, Gorry outlined her intention to return to action through the Westfield W-League in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup, to be played in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
Gorry announced the news of her pregnancy on February, 8, and her decision to pause competitive football indefinitely as she prepares for the first exciting step of her journey toward starting a family.
But, with the support of the Roar and the national side well and truly behind her, Gorry says she’s confident of a happy start to life as a mother and a triumphant return to football in the future.
“Trying to keep a secret isn’t that easy when you’re in and amongst the public eye,” Gorry said.
“It was really nice and relieving to let out the big secret, I’ve enjoyed all the interviews and all the support I have at the moment, (it’s) really amazing to be honest.
“For a long time I always thought I was going to have to retire early. I’m only going on 29, and most of the amazing teams in the world, their players are (peaking) around 35.
“To be retiring that early to start a family would be disappointing to look back on. Knowing that you now have the support to have a family and get back to football, I think is something really special.
“To have a little one to look up to you, and run onto the field after a big game, or a loss of a game I think is something pretty special.
“I think being around the American girls for such a long time… they’ve kind of had that support throughout the last couple of years, some of them have come back even better than what they left.
“It’s pretty inspiring to see some of those players, and hopefully I can allow players to know they are supported and they can get back to the game.”
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“My decision to have IVF when I did was also based around the 2023 World Cup,” Gorry added.
“If I fell pregnant now I would miss the Olympics, but it would give me a year and a half to get back for the home World Cup, which would be something pretty special.
“That’s what the aim is at the moment – I know pregnancy can go any way (but) I think I’ve timed it pretty well with the (Westfield) W-League starting a bit later, so hopefully that could be a good lead-in for me.
“It depends on how my body reacts after the birth and how I go through motherhood at the start, but I have the support around me and hopefully I’ll be able to play in the (Westfield) W-League and make a comeback.”
Adelaide remind Westfield W-League big-hitters they’re here to stay
“Adelaide United jump up and say ‘Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar, Canberra – just watch out for us, we’re building nicely’.”
Just two weeks ago Canberra United, Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC were set to pull away from the pack and establish themselves as the top three Westfield W-League sides of the 2020/21 campaign.
But Adelaide have clung on tightly to the coattails of the league-leaders, and in Round 8 notched an impressive 2-1 win over Canberra United which sent the Reds above the Green Machine into third on the Westfield W-League table.
Canberra now sit in fourth place, just one point ahead of Melbourne Victory, leaving their place in the top four precariously poised.
“Adelaide United, what a win over Canberra,” Garb said.
“That’s a bit of a setback for the girls from the capital.
“Adelaide United jump up and say ‘Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar, Canberra – just watch out for us, we’re building nicely’.”
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“They continue on their best ever start to a (Westfield) W-League season – they’ve never had more than 13 points at this stage,” Cornthwaite replied.
“Canberra came back into it, Adelaide were a little bit sloppy before half-time and gave away a pass which they should have never given away, conceded, and went into half-time with their heads down.
“In the second-half they could have scored four. (Keeley) Richards, the Canberra ‘keeper was sensational.
“I still think Canberra are going to cause plenty of teams plenty of problems, but I think Adelaide maybe have got a bit of an edge on them now (after) the win.”
Brisbane’s Sky Blue thumping yet another testament to ‘chaotic’ campaign
“Sydney played Canberra last week and won 4-0 in a top of the table clash, then we get another one (Brisbane v Sydney) and it’s 4-1. It just shows the chaotic nature of the (Westfield) W-League and what the results can throw up.”
Sydney FC hosted Brisbane in the headline fixture of Round 8 at Liechhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon. The Sky Blues came into the game with six wins from six games. Brisbane approached it undefeated in seven (W3, D4).
And in the battle of the two unbeaten sides Brisbane ploughed ahead, handing Sydney their first defeat of the season – and an emphatic one at that – whilst closing the gap the Sky Blues held on top of the Westfield W-League table to just two points.
“Brisbane Roar are absolutely flying,” Garb said.
“What a week for them: back-to-back victories against Western Sydney and then Sydney FC away from home, so they close the gap at the top to just two points.”
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“Sydney played Canberra last week and won 4-0 in a top of the table clash, then we get another one and it’s 4-1. It just shows the chaotic nature of the (Westfield) W-League and what the results can throw up,” Cornthwaite replied.
“Brisbane Roar haven’t lost a game this season, we know they started really slowly and there was a little bit of concern, but now they’re rolling.
“It’s hard to say Sydney FC aren’t the favourites because they’ve won every game bar one and they’ve only just lost, but that was a real statement from Brisbane Roar. They’re ticking along at the moment.”
