Cortnee Vine is the face of the A-League women’s competition as Sydney FC’s marquee player – but she didn’t hold back when asked what the code needs to do to progress in Australia.
The Matildas World Cup hero acknowledged football is improving on local shores, before offering her blueprint for the sport to take itself to the next level.
‘It is getting there, but more money and making it fulltime for [women’s] players is essential,’ the winger said at the launch of the season in Sydney.
‘It also has to be more professional. ‘Once these things happen, you will see the other Matildas players return.
‘At the moment playing overseas is more appealing for most of the girls… it is more professional and the pay is [significantly] more than here.’
Cortnee Vine is the face of the A-League women’s competition – but she didn’t hold back when asked what the code needs to progress on local shores
Vine stated the league needs to be more professional, offer better salaries and be fulltime for all female players to entice the likes of Matildas superstar Sam Kerr to return from Europe
Vine was also asked why she doesn’t test herself abroad – and her answer was left-field.
‘I love Australia and my life in Sydney,’ the 25-year-old said.
‘My football journey has been here … it all started for me as a teenager in Brisbane [with the Roar].
‘My partner is here as well, and my life isn’t just about football.’
Vine has won plenty of silverware since joining Sydney FC in 2020 – and is eyeing off more this season.
That process starts on Saturday when the Sky Blues host rivals Western Sydney Wanderers at Allianz Stadium from 7.45pm.
The stand-alone weekend of fixtures will see all eyes on the women’s competition, which now features 12 teams.
