ROOD AWAKENING:
KIWI FOOTBALLER’S STUNNING RISE FROM PARK FOOTBALL TO EUROPEAN GIANTS JUVENTUS
Katie Rood had just one condition before she accepted a job with the Northern Football Federation.
She said if a professional football club was to come calling, she would leave.
So when Juventus, one of the most famous clubs in world sport, offered her a chance to trial for their newly-established women’s team, Rood didn’t need time to think it over. She immediately resigned from her position as futsal development officer, packed her life into a suitcase and moved to Europe for a shot at her dream.
‘‘I had my soul set on becoming a professional player and thankfully they were so understanding and encouraging,’’ said the Glenfield Rovers stalwart who, despite being on the fringes of the Football Ferns, had never played professionally until last year.
‘‘It was an opportunity to get closer to my dream and if it didn’t work out then at least I would be in Europe and I was confident I could find another club to play for. I can’t play football forever so I’m going to use my time now to take it as far as I possibly can.’’
The trial began with a meet and greet, numerous medical checks and physical tests. The playing squad assembled for preseason and travelled to the mountains in the north of Italy for a 10-day training camp. They trained twice a day and played a few friendly matches.
Rood was told by Juventus officials that it would likely take two weeks for the coaches to assess her, and on day 14 her fate would be decided.
However, as soon as the training camp was completed Rood was offered a 10-month contract. Not only was she about to become a professional football player, achieving her life-long dream, she was going to sign with one of the true powerhouses of the global game. ‘‘It’s still quite hard to comprehend that I am a Juventus player. The club has such a decorated history and are making a lot of forward steps here in Italy especially in terms of female athletes,’’ the 25-year-old forward said.
‘‘It’s amazing to be able to play a part in their history. I had my 25th birthday just after I signed so I thought it would be fitting for that to be my squad number. Every time I get to put the shirt on, I always take a moment beforehand
I get a little choked up when I’m in that packed stadium and the Champions League chorus comes on. Katie Rood
to soak it all up and appreciate just how far I’ve come.’’
Rood described her first months in Turin as a steep learning curve, adapting to a new country, a new language and a new level of football. ‘‘The first month or two, everything was so foreign and new. Since then it has been good settling into my apartment and getting into the routine of the trainings and games. I am finally starting to get a good understanding of the language and I can speak a bit now too which has certainly helped with navigating life here.’’
Rood has made regular visits to Allianz Stadium, going along to support her male counterparts such as megastars Gianluigi Buffon, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuian. She was in the stands when Juventus hosted Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League last month and said the atmosphere was like nothing she had ever experienced.
‘‘These are the games I used to get up at 6am to watch when I was in New Zealand and I would end up missing so many university classes, especially if they went into extra time. Now I get to be there and be part of the action.
‘‘I’m not going to lie, I get a little choked up when I’m in that packed stadium and the Champions League chorus comes on. It’s such an awesome experience and I can’t help but dream of playing in an atmosphere like that one day.’’
Although the women’s team plays at a much smaller venue than the 41,000 capacity Allianz Stadium, they are even more dominant than the men’s team. Remarkably, they have won all 17 of their first Serie A matches, scoring 54 goals and conceding just four.
Their spectacular start has shot them into the public spotlight and Rood is occasionally stopped by Juventus fans on the street.
‘‘There are so many club supporters throughout Italy and quite often we will get stopped for a photo when we’re just walking around the city in casual clothes. This always takes me by surprise.’’
That unblemished record has limited her opportunities though. However, she hasn’t struggled to find the back of the net when called upon, having scored four times in the eight games she has played so far.
That goal-scoring form has also resulted in opportunities with the national team, making her Football Ferns debut against the United States of America last year.
Brought off the bench against Thailand and Scotland twice, Rood said her goal now is to kick on with the Ferns and push for a place at the 2019 World Cup and 2020 Olympic Games.
‘‘I think of all the times I have been inspired by people along the way and I hope I can do the same, if not more for the next generations,’’ Rood said.
‘‘There are so many exciting possibilities in the world of football currently and we are only starting to see the massive growth of the women’s game. I played so many sports as a kid and I didn’t think that football would be my first pick but I’m so glad that it is. No other sport has such a big grip on the globe.
‘‘It is such a great game and has allowed me to travel the world and experience so many different places and cultures.’’