The Prodigy | The Matildas

1. Have a break. Have a KitKat.

2 weeks later...

The staff showed me to my room for the next 2 weeks at camp with the Matildas. When I confirmed that I would be going, I was told of a few things I will be doing upon the first few days of my arrival. Due to my new presence at the Matildas, they wanted me to come in 4 days before the rest of the Matildas would arrive. I was scheduled for a physio check in, a bunch of physical tests and just general training so they can see and hone my goalkeeping skills.

We were in the physio room, I was sat on one of the treatment table. "Alright, Kat, any injuries we should know about before we begin?" One of the staff asked. "Well, I've had some minor muscle pulls in my calf from ballet but it shouldn't be any problem, I was told it was from being on pointe so much." I lied to them. They still asked me to lay down so they could check the muscle, which did turn out ok. They did put some tape on for support just in case.

Tony told me the first day was about getting me in shape; stretching, stamina and all. "Alright, once you finish stretching, we're going right into it, and into the beep test first." God dammit, I hate the beep test.

After a few back and forths, the staff finally tell me we've finished with the beep test. I collapse dramatically onto the grass, chest heaving. "That was great Kat, take a drink break and then we'll go straight into a maximal aerobic speed test." Fuck, already? And also, what?

"Yeah, sorry mate, what the hell is a maximum ariel speed test?" The staff, laughs at me. "It's a 1.5 km straight run. We're just measuring how fast you can complete it." Ugh, fuck. I take a quick sip, knowing if I wait too long the adrenaline will wear off.

"Alright, send me off to my death already will ya?" He send me off, and I begin with a light jog, quickly picking up the pace. Because one, I want this to be over, and two, I'm competitive. No way you get to being a prodigy if you're not competitive. "Wow, you're quick."

"It- must be... the young energy.." I squeeze in between breaths. "Take a 5 whilst I get the goals set for you." I stand off to the side, taking small sips of my water while waiting. We do a couple practice drills before Tony walks out. "Hey so we were just gonna have the staff shoot some penalties for you to block, but someone came to camp early so she'll shoot some. She's just getting ready, I'll go grab her real quick."

Who would have the dedication and the energy to come 4 days early to camp? I know I wouldn't. But then Tony walks out with her, and I'm left shocked when I shouldn't be, heart thumping against my chest so hard I feel like I could feel it in my ear. Of course the damn captain of the Matildas would come early to camp.

***

"Sam, this is Katerina Steele, Kat, this is Sam Kerr, who you'd of course know. She'll shoot some penalties against you so we can see where you're at." Fuck, I'm not gonna be able to block any of them. "Don't be too stressed if you do worse than you normally do, Sam never takes it easy on newbies."

"Aw Tony, don't make me seem like a jackass" Sam laughs. If I have to prove my worth, this is my chance. She may be currently one of the world's best female strikers, but I'm the prodigy. I have to do this.

Sam takes a ball, as well as taking her position whilst I take mine. As the whistle blows, I see her glance at me before glancing towards the left of the goal. Bingo. She runs at the ball, but I'm already headed to the left as the ball is kicked. I block it easily. Ok. Ok I can do this!

***

In the beginning of my training as a goalkeeper, I learnt that most people have a tell when they shoot, some people's hips turn to the direction they want to strike in, others feet are positioned in the place where they'd shoot. For Sam, although she's subtle, she glances where she wants to shoot. It's not a habit easy to break.

Out of the 20 penalties we played, Sam only got in 9 goals. Damn, I'm good.

"Damn, newbie, good on ya." Sam smiled, throwing her arm over my shoulders. "Just wait till Macca meets you." I grin at her. Being a prodigy means that I have to act as a role model for others, be the best of the best, but compared to Sam Kerr, I am nothing. She is in a way, kind of my role model.

"Today's training's over right?" She asks me. "Yeah, I believe so, though they probably want me in for a gym sesh."

"Ah, I'll come with ya then, it'll be a bonding sesh."

***

I've already went through some weight lifts, Sam spotting me for it. We had some light hearted discussion, Sam becoming very shocked at me being born on the 3rd of September 2007. "Fuck, you're a literal child."

"Teenager. Adolescent if you wanna get specific." I corrected, now balancing on a one foot on a turned over Bosu ball. "Still, it's weird to think that kids born in 2007 are sitting the HSCs."

"No, they're not." I lean into an arabesque. "Just me. I'm in year 10, no other kid is sitting their HSCs so soon. Besides, its not that soon, I'm sitting the HSCs in November. It was supposed to be this month but being called here gave me more time. Thank god for that."

"Uh, yeah, how are you sitting your HSCs at 15 again?" Sam sassed.

"Child prodigy, we've been over this Sam."

"KitKat, you're a child, a kid, you shouldn't have to do this at such a young age. Have fun, play football." Sam began calling me KitKat after talking about distinguishing Mini and I with nicknames since we're both Kat's.

"You deserve a break." Sam grabbed her bag. "Have a break. Have a kitkat." She pulled out a small kitkat bar, before burst out in laughter, rolling onto the ground. I started laughing along with her, breaking my balance before I proceeded to also tumble onto the ground.

"Goddammit Sam, how long have you had that damn kitkat bar in your bag for?"

"The chocolate bar was pure coincidence. The joke I had been holding onto for at least an hour." She giggled.