On Friday 9 February Melbourne Victory W League star Natasha Dowie will be at Sumner Park delivering two special training sessions for young Zebras.

Natasha, the Victory Captain, and all time leading goal scorer will be holding a unique Masterclass in playing as a #9, a role she has held with distinction for not only Victory but for the England national team, Liverpool and Boston Breakers in the US National Women’s Soccer League. She will also be delivering a skills session for all of our junior girls.

Natasha is coming to Brunswick Zebras in partnership with Melbourne Victory FC. Melbourne Victory’s General Manager Community and Government Relations Stella Smith said that "Melbourne Victory is delighted to be able to support Brunswick Zebras with these sessions". Zebras President Carlo Carli expressed his appreciation of Victory’s support saying that "Brunswick Zebras is a proud member of Club Victory and this project is a very tangible commitment by MVFC to community football."

Participation at the skills upgrade session at 5 pm is open to all Brunswick Zebras girls. Attendance at the #9 Masterclass is by invitation to selected players who will be contacted directly.

For an interesting look into some of Natsha's background spend a few minutes watching this Youtube clip: https://youtu.be/R-LGREBT6og

ABOUT NATASHA...

... club football...

After playing youth football with various London teams, Natasha was a member of Everton's League Cup winning side in her first season with that club in 2010. She scored two goals, including the 119th minute extra-time winner, to give Everton a 3–2 victory over Arsenal in the 2010 FA Women's Cup Final.

She continued to play for Everton in European competition and netted in The Blues' UEFA Women's Champions League quarter–final defeat to FCR 2001 Duisburg.^[11] Dowie then scored two goals for Everton in their first FA WSL match, including a stoppage-time equaliser, to rescue a 3–3 draw at local rivals Liverpool.^[12]

In November 2012 Dowie and Fara Williams left Everton for ambitious local rivals Liverpool, who were building a squad to challenge Arsenal's dominance of English women's football.^[13]

Dowie finished the top scorer in the 2013 FA WSL with 13 goals in 14 games for champions Liverpool. She was voted the FA Players' Player of the Year and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Team of the Year.

Liverpool retained their title in 2014, but were much less successful in 2015. They finished seventh of eight teams amidst an injury crisis and coach Matt Beard departed for American National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Boston Breakers. Natasha agreed a two-month loan to Australian W-League club Melbourne Victory in November 2015 and then signed with Boston Breakers in 2016 and finished the 2017 season as the top goal-scorer for the Breakers with 7 goals. 

In between NWSL seasons Natasha has continued to return to Melbourne Victory where she was appointed captain for 2017/18 season ansd continued her goalscoring ways, becoming the club's highest ever goalscorer.

...International Football....

Natasha was called into an England training camp while still a year ten pupil at Roundwood Park School. She has since represented England at Under-17, 19, 20 and 23 levels, playing in the FIFA Under-20's World Cup Finals in Chile in November 2008. 

Natasha made her debut in a World Cup qualifier against Turkey in İzmir in 26November 2009. She came on as a substitute in England's first 2015 FIFA World Cup qualifier and scored her first national team goal in a 6–0 win over Belarus at Dean Court in Bournemouth. Dowie's continuing good form at club level meant it was something of a surprise when she was left out of England's 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup squad.

....coaching...

As well as her playing excellence, Natasha has been developing as a coach.Dowie has a Uefa B FA Football coaching qualification and has worked as a coach with Watford and the Middlesex Centre of Excellence as well as one on one player development training and clinics in the United States.

...but wait, there's more...

If you have seen W-League coverage on television you will have seen Natasha' s smart and skillful on field play for Victory. And you may also have seen her as a Fox Sports commentator on other matches where she has impressed with her intelligent and insightful analysis.