After a long hiatus from football Katie Gill is finally ready to make her return to the Westfield Matildas squad when they head into camp this weekend.
After a long hiatus from football Katie Gill is finally ready to make her return to the Westfield Matildas squad when they head into camp this weekend.
Gill who has spent the last nine months recovering from ACL surgery has been training hard for the last three weeks in Perth, sometimes alongside Samantha Kerr, feels ready to return and couldn-t be more excited to get back in contact with the national team.
“My knee has been coming along well, I have been training with no restrictions for the last three weeks," Gill said.
“I-ve seen Sam (Kerr) regularly in the gym and have been doing some running together, but we are both a different stages of our rehab programs, so football wise we don't do much training together.
“Mostly though I am simply looking forward to getting back into the football set up, it has been a long 11months.”
While Gill hasn-t been able to have an influence on the field for the majority of the last year, she has been able to do so off it and has worked diligently as an ambassador for the game, working for the AFC and FIFA to bring the game and her knowledge to some of those who are less privileged.
“I have really enjoyed the ambassador work that I have done so far both on behalf of the AFC and FIFA. It really is amazing to see just how big an impact football has on the lives on so many people and just how powerful its is as a tool for change,” she said.
“It is such a humbling experience to be able to bring excitement and happiness to those less fortunate but most importantly to give back to a game that has given me so much.
“Most of the work involves supporting the initiatives that the AFC and FIFA have put in place by motivating, encouraging and recognising the contribute of those less fortunate as well as the selfless people that dedicated there time to drive these initiatives.”
With her injury seemingly behind her, Gill is looking forward to resuming her career at the highest level and has her sights squarely set on the 2015 World Cup.
“I have a lot of unfulfilled personal goals and to compete at a world cup is definitely one of them, but for me I just want to enjoy my football.”