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Earlier today Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop made the announcement that Matildas’ forward Lisa De Vanna would co-captain Australia at the Women’s World Cup, alongside defender Clare Polkinghorne.
Head Coach of the Matildas Alen Stajcic said that the two were a fitting choice for the co-captaincy, as their growth and development on and off the field proved they have more to offer to the team than anyone else.
“Over the last four or five months we’ve done an extreme amount of work in terms of leadership and growing the team off the field, and these two have exemplified that more than others,” said Stajcic.
“The amount that they’ve grown and the leadership they have shown on and off the field has been tremendous and they have just risen above the pack in terms of what they offer the team.
“I’m really proud of Clare (Polkinghorne) who has been in the role before, but for Lisa De Vanna, the amount that she’s grown has been unbelievable.
“To see a player of her calibre grow so much and be able to give so much back to the team in such a short space of time is a tremendous effort and I’m really proud of the person she is and the leader she is going to be at the World Cup.”
Brisbane Roar captain Clare Polkinghorne captained the Matildas at the AFC Asian Cup last year, and she is looking forward to the opportunity to wear the arm band again in Canada alongside De Vanna.
“Obviously it’s a massive honour leading the girls into a World Cup. I’ve been lucky enough to share the co captaincy role the last couple of years but this is extra special being on the World Cup stage,” said Polkinghorne.
“I think heading into this World Cup we have set high standards for ourselves as a team, and with the talented group we’ve got there is a lot of potential to go deep in the tournament.
“I’m extremely proud of Lisa. She’s got that winning attitude, she lives and breathes football and would do anything for her team mates, and to hear her speak with such passion, I think the girls can really take a lot from it”.
Melbourne Victory forward Lisa De Vanna has netted 33 times for the Matildas, and was honoured when she found out that she had been picked to co-captain in what is set to be her fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I was a little bit shocked when I was told I would be a captain, I’ve been in this team for a very long time and a lot of the girls know how passionate I am and how much I go out and play with my heart on my sleeve for this team, so when Staj told me I was going to be a co-captain I cried,” said De Vanna.
“I think I’ll be the type of captain that people can rely on when things are down, and when things are great that I’m going to keep pushing them. I like to lead by example through my actions on the field so hopefully I can do that for the team at the World Cup.”
“I love what I do and I love playing for my country, and to go out there and lead my country with the talented team we’ve got, I honestly believe this team can go all the way and leave a legacy.”
Gallop also announced that Emily van Egmond and Kyah Simon would be vice captains for the Matildas at the upcoming Women’s World Cup.
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