Logarzo giving back to the football community

Westfield Matildas star Chloe Logarzo signed with the Blacktown Spartans just over a month ago.

Now, with five matches under her belt, she shares why she chose to stay close to home this season.

“I’ve spent the last two years playing football overseas.

“Between playing in Norway last year and Sweden the year before, I did miss out on some important milestones back home.

“I decided that this year was the perfect time for me to join the Spartans so that I can be close to my partner; my family and friends, and I can spend time working on myself and my game before life gets too busy with the World Cup.”

Logarzo has already represented Australia 25 times scoring five goals on the international stage with the Matildas, but the NPL provides a unique benefit at a more local level for the world-renowned midfielder.

The 23-year-old believes that playing in the NPL has given her the opportunity to work on skills she wouldn’t otherwise have had the time for.

“Playing for the Spartans has really helped build my confidence and skill set.

“There are things I can try here that I wouldn’t necessarily do in the National team, like seeing if I can take on certain players and taking shots from further out.

“I think that’s the best part about playing in the NPL, that I’m not hesitant to try new things.

“I have the freedom to grow as a player in new and different areas and take these skills with me.”

Currently sitting seventh in the NPL top tier standings in NSW, the Blacktown Spartans are ten points away from a spot in the top three, but with several home games on the horizon, Logarzo expects her team to make the most of their home advantages and shake up the ladder.

“We have no trouble scoring goals, but for every two goals scored, we concede three, so we really need to work on our defence.

“My first four games were away matches, so I’m really looking forward to some home games.

“If we can work on not conceding and make the most of these home games, I believe we can get a spot in the finals.”

Since being back home, it hasn’t just been about playing football for Logarzo.

It’s also been about giving back to both the football and wider community.

Whether it be acting as barber and role model for a fan who was participating in the World’s Greatest Shave or signing on as the voluntary Technical Director at Hornsby Heights Football Club, Logarzo’s passion for growing the game and acting as a positive role model for aspiring young footballers.

“Holly [Lewis] has been following me on social media for a while. She’s a great kid who would travel from Wollongong to watch me play for Sydney FC.

“When she asked me to shave her head for the World’s Greatest Shave I jumped at the opportunity to support such a good cause.

“We’ve stayed in touch and I mentor her about football and life in general.

“When I was a kid I never really had anyone to look up to or aspire to be.

“Now it’s realistic for the Matildas to be full-time athletes and role models. I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to be that person for someone else, because I didn’t have it as a kid.”

In relation to her role with Hornsby Heights Football Club, Logarzo says it was their genuine passion to progress female football that drew her in to volunteer as their Technical Director.

“Hornsby Heights FC genuinely want female football to progress and succeed.

“They’re passionate and their female participation rates are through the roof. That meant I just had to be a part of it.

“I want to help re-write women’s football and want it to develop as a football culture.

“I want to see the same culture that I grew up in when I was playing with males, for females.”

Logarzo also runs her own school holiday football clinic called “Talk With Your Feet,” and last month took out the award for Sydney FC’s Westfield W-League Player of the Year, but if she had listened to nay-sayers from her childhood, she may not be where she is today.

“Growing up playing football I was always told that I wasn’t good enough and I’d never make it as a professional footballer because of my size, but I want to say to young footballers out there, that it’s not just about the football. It’s about work ethic and self belief. If you don’t have that, you don’t have anything.

“Talent can only get you so far, you could be a great football player, but desire, passion and determination are what creates an elite athlete.

“If you can see what you can be, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

-By Liana Buratti