Perth Glory Women’s captain Samantha Kerr with teammate Patricia Charalambous.
Camera IconPerth Glory Women’s captain Samantha Kerr with teammate Patricia Charalambous. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Soccer: Perth Glory’s Samantha Kerr happy to fly the flag for the women’s game

Denise S. CahillEastern Reporter

SAMANTHA Kerr (24) arrived home in Australia less than 24 hours before she was presented with her 2017-18 Perth Glory Women’s jumper last night.

The Matilda’s striker, who plays for Sky Blue FC in the American National Women’s Soccer League, said at the season launch she was hoping Glory coach Bobby Despotovski would give her a week off before hitting the field with her Perth teammates.

Kerr said she was happy to fly the flag for women’s soccer whether it was playing for Sky Blue, the Matildas or Perth Glory.

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She said she tried to maintain the same routine whether she was preparing for a practice match or an international game against the US.

The 2017 Julie Dolan Medal winner said she was excited about the Glory season ahead.

“It’s exciting. We’ve gained some great players and kept some good players around,” she said.

Despotovski said Kerr would be a target for the opposition this season given her top form so they players would protect her on the field.

Kerr has been credited for building the profile of soccer around the world, particularly for women.

At last week’s WA Cricket Association season launch, Western Warriors coach Justin Langer said his daughters wanted to kick a soccer ball around the backyard since Kerr’s rise to fame overseas.

Glory plays Melbourne City at Perth Oval on October 27.

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