Words: Staff Writers
Image: UQFC

UQFC Women’s midfielder Katie Winter is kicking goals both on and off the field as University of Queensland’s first women’s football scholarship holder.

Already with four PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland goals this season - including a last start hat-trick against Western Pride Women - there is plenty more to the 17-year-old’s game than her match day performances.

Winter is balancing her football commitments with the rigours of tertiary study and is currently in the first year of Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Queensland.

Conceding there are plenty of demands on her time through both football and academics, Winter explained that being the beneficiary of the first ever women’s football UQ Sports Achievement Scholarship is helping her with finding a winning balance with UQFC.

“It feels good to be supported in both my academic and sporting achievements. The scholarship provides me extra tutoring in the subjects I’m struggling in, which I have accessed in the last 3 weeks and is really helping,” Winter told UQSport

“I also get given flexibility which enables me to push back assignments and exams if I have sporting commitments. This allows me to achieve my best in both football and my studies.”

The results are encouraging so far for Winter and her teammates, with UQFC currently top of the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Women’s standings after seven rounds.

Winter said of the team’s early season form, “We’ve had a good start to the season. We’re currently top of the table and we’ve only lost one game, however there are a few clubs around us that have games in hand.”

“We’ve also scored more goals than any other team and conceded the least, so our goal difference is looking good.”

On Wednesday night, UQFC Women will retune after a two week Easter break in a friendly match against Brisbane Roar W-League.

Winter said that while she once coveted a chance to prove herself in the Westfield W-League, the combination of study and PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland football experience could offer opportunities much farther afield.

“When I was younger, I always looked up to the W-League and thought that is where I would end up, but it’s not my main goal anymore. There are so many other pathways available,” she said.

Winter cited Japan and England as destinations she has considered, before adding, “Ultimately, I want to play to the best of my ability. I don’t really mind if that’s in Australia or another country.”

UQFC Women play Brisbane Roar W-League tonight at University of Queensland Field Five. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30pm.