Katie Barrott’s national league career started as a nervous 13-year-old desperately trying to scrub autographs off her boots. Now, she’s set to become the 19^th player in 47 years to bring up 50 caps for Capital Football.

The 23-year-old will achieve the sought-after milestone should she, as expected, take the field against the Canterbury United Pride in their ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership match at Petone Memorial Park on Saturday morning. She is expected to take the field given she has ascended from a star-struck teenager to captain in her decade in the team.

Ahead of the weekend, Barrott reflected on her 10 years at this level, which started with a trial and a dream.

“I remember my first National Women’s League trial when I was 13 and I had the autographs of half the team on my boots, so I desperately tried to scrub these off and made dad get me a new pair,” she said.”

“Across my first two seasons I got about 20 minutes of game time, but to eventually cement a spot in the starting XI felt like a real achievement and I remember just feeling so proud. At that point National Women’s League for me was a platform to go onto better things, so I guess I was using the league more for development.”

Following a serious injury in 2013, Barrott found herself in and out of the squad for a couple of seasons. It was at that point she reassessed her goals and became more team focused.

“I think across both 2014 and 2015 I realised the importance of playing your role and humility. I also came to terms that for me and the player I was, National League was probably going to be the highest level I would ever reach, so I kind of committed to being ambitious at a team level rather than personally.”

“Come 2016 I was back and healthy and we made the grand final, it was a season where I also feel I performed best. This was my first season not being the ‘baby’ and having some seniority. It was new, but I enjoyed it.”

Fast forward another four years and Barrott is now one of the most experienced members of a team which has become a massive part of her life.

This especially came to the fore last year when she suffered a personal tragedy.

“My most special memory that I will hold onto forever is the squad last year and the support I had when my mum passed away.”

“I’ve always been someone that loves the team environment, but that took my appreciation for a team above and beyond. Having a group of young women come together and lookout for each other was really powerful, and I know that it was the best place I could be in such a hard time.”

“It warms my heart to think about it and I will forever cherish the support from the girls, Nat, Maia, Lisa, Hazel and the rest of the Federation.”

That support from her wider Capital family will be on full display in Petone on Saturday as the team pushes for a win which would go close to securing them a place in the Premiership final.

The team’s uncertain, but hopeful, future this season is mirrored by Barrett’s fate beyond the end of this campaign. It could well be that if the team do not make the final that, at age 23, it’s 50 and out for Barrett, or she could continue on for her 11^th season in 2021.

“Well firstly, I hope it becomes 50+ by reaching the 2020 final,” she said with steely determination.

“But beyond that, I can’t say I have a clear answer. I know that this summer will be the first true off-season I have had since I was about 15, so that is the first priority. I have a lot of injury management to do in the meantime also.”

“For me, this is a next year decision. But at this point, I see an intake of young players coming through, at a higher quality than I can potentially offer next year. If this is the case, I will look at another role to play. This team is too important to me to fully leave behind, but there will be some thinking on what is best for me, my body and health and the younger players coming through.”

Whatever happens in the future, there will be no taking away Barrott’s place in Capital Football history, and her status as one of the great team players to have graced the yellow and black.

Kick off for the ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership Match Week 6 fixture is at 11:00am from Memorial Park Petone.

Article added: Friday 04 December 2020