By: Andy SCOTT
(Courtesy of the www.drysdalesc.com)

FOR Drysdale Soccer Club’s Catie Hodge, stepping out against the region’s best soccer players is all about having fun. Catie, at the tender age of just 14 years, is the young Bellarine club’s first Junior to transition to the Seniors’ teams and is having a big impact in her first month of senior football.

PHOTO: Catie Hodge (left) in action for Drysdale against Kardinia College in a GRFC Women's Division 1 league match earlier this year (Photo credit: Drysdale SC)

The speedy forward has netted a remarkable 11 goals in her first month of senior football playing across both the GRFC Women’s Division One and Division Two teams and has loved every minute of it.

Catie first started playing soccer at the age of 9 years after being introduced to the game through a clinic at Clifton Springs Primary School and until last season had mixed it with the boys in the Drysdale junior Boys’ teams.

Catie has found the step up to the Senior Women’s competitions easy.

“The other girls on the team have been really welcoming and friendly. I am really loving the level of coaching and fitness training,” says Catie.

Catie’s favourite teams are Barcelona and Arsenal and she one day hopes to play at a higher level, whether it be at Geelong Galaxy United in the WNPL or even the national W-League.

However this year, Catie is focused on playing her best soccer for Drysdale SC and with her school team at Geelong College, with the promise of more goals to come...