New Zealand’s Katie Pugh during the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2024, Semi Final 2, New Zealand v Tonga, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Wednesday 18 September 2024. Photo: Kirk Corrie / www.phototek.nz
This year, having joined the Wellington Phoenix Academy, Pugh says she had greater “expectations for myself and what I wanted” ahead of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship.
“I had clear goals set for how I could get there, so it was just about trying to implement the goals and targets as much as I could.”
She particularly valued the opportunity to pass on what she had learnt last year and develop her leadership skills in Fiji last month, captaining the Alana Gunn-coached team in the final.
“The first one was all about learning, and opened my eyes to so many new things. I improved mentally on and off the pitch, and then technically and tactically my football changed a lot.
“I learnt so much last year about how a tournament will go, the different types of football you encounter and how to stay strong through the tournament as it’s a long time to be away.”
Leaving home to join the Wellington Phoenix Academy has also helped the latter, she says.
“It’s a big learning curve, obviously. You’re way more independent, but I think it’s been easy to manage with the support that you get from the club and the school and with the other girls that play for Phoenix also in the boarding house. It’s a really nice environment to be in, so it’s been a smooth transition.”
Like most up and coming footballers, Pugh has faced her challenges, including battling a knee injury that has restricted her time on the field in recent months.
“That’s been a big part of the year that I’ve had to overcome,” she reflects.
“You don’t really know how much you really enjoy something until you don’t have it or how much you really love it till you can’t play it anymore. So just being on the pitch, every training, every game, I never take it for granted anymore. Every time I can run about with a ball, I’ll enjoy it.”
Including, finally, at a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Oceania representatives Aotearoa New Zealand has been drawn in Group A at the tournament alongside hosts Dominican Republic, tournament debutants Ecuador, and 2022 bronze medallists Nigeria. They open their campaign against Nigeria on 17 October (KO 9am NZT), before facing Dominican Republic on 20 October (KO 12pm NZT), and Ecuador on 23 October (KO 12pm NZT).
All FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup games can be watched live and free on FIFA+.
Source link : https://www.oceaniafootball.com/from-blenheim-to-the-dominican-republic-katie-pughs-journey/
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Publish date : 2024-10-03 22:16:51
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