Cortnee Vine: Premierships, Sacrifices and Inspiring the Next Generation

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After taking home the 2018 top tier women’s Premiership with her team Sydney University SFC, W-League star and Young Matilda, Cortnee Vine is keen to share the values of respect, resilience and teamwork with the next generation of footballers.

Sydney Uni have dominated throughout the majority of the NPLW competition, staying within the top three for the duration of the season.

Despite taking some time out for a niggling knee injury, the 20-year-old still also managed to finish as third leading goal scorer of the competition.

With an entire league peppered with strong talent, Vine said she believes it was her team’s close bond that kept them in prime position for the Premiership.

“We definitely have a strong group of girls that all have the desire to learn and grow as a team,” she said.

“Having such a knowledgeable Coach in Alexander Epakis is also a strength in itself, but I think our biggest strength is that we are just such good mates. We all know that we have each other’s backs and having that trust is one of the most important parts of a successful team.”

Along with her NPL and W-League career, Vine has also played for the Young Matildas in both U17’s and U20’s, scoring eight international goals, but playing at an elite level also comes with it’s sacrifices, like moving away from your friends and family.

Originally from Brisbane, Vine made her W-League debut for Brisbane Roar as a 16-year-old.

The young striker then made the move to NSW in 2017 to play for the Newcastle Jets, as well as to participate in the Future Matildas Program and the NSW Women’s NPL.

“I have moved around a lot to pursue my love of the game, but also to grow as a person,” Vine said.

“Moving away from home is always tough, but my close friends and family have always supported me which has made it easier.

“When times get tough, I always know they are only a phone call away, ready to encourage me and put me back on track if I need it.

She admitted that sometimes, you need to remind yourself why the sacrifices are all worth it.

“I think when you play at a professional level it’s common to lose touch with why you love the game and I think every professional athlete would agree with me. We’ve all gone through it,” she said.

“But I just think about how grateful I am for all the experiences I’ve been able to learn and grow from.

“Playing in a team is so beneficial for your growth as a person. It teaches you to engage with your team mates, build your communication skills and create friendships that last a lifetime, which is why I love it so much.”

Vine hopes to instil these qualities into the youth of Australia and has taken on a role as the Women’s Football Ambassador for Roselea Football Club.

“Football NSW put my name forward as someone who could act as a mentor for the young girls at Roselea FC and of course I jumped at the opportunity.

“I want to mentor not only the girls that are playing, but the parents as well, because the reality of football is, that it can get hard sometimes, so your love and enjoyment for the game needs to outweigh that,” Vine said.

“I want these kids to see me as someone who is approachable, respectful, hard-working and passionate about the game. I am a true believer that respect for everyone on the field is so important, especially for your referees and opponents, as without them, you couldn’t play at all.”

Now Vine and Sydney Uni SFC have headed into the finals of the NPLW competition, with Illawarra Stingrays, Manly United FC, Macarthur Rams FC and Football NSW Institute all vying to take out the championship.

 

BY Liana Buratti

 

Cortnee Vine, pictured left in Round 7 for UNSW