In her second coming as a Football Fern, centurion midfielder Katie Duncan is keen to make the most of her status as an international footballer to make a positive difference in the community.

A veteran of over 120 matches for her country, Duncan stepped away from Ferns duty in mid-2017 after an amazing career that included three FIFA Women’s World Cups, three Olympic Games and two FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups, along with time as a club professional in Germany, England, Switzerland and Australia.

But she was lured out of retirement by the appointment of Tom Sermanni as Football Ferns coach and is now in the frame for a remarkable fourth appearance at the biggest celebration of women’s football on the planet.

Aside from aiming to be included in Sermanni’s squad for yet another World Cup, Duncan is also looking to make a contribution away from the pitch.

“I guess being retired and then coming out of retirement gives you time to reflect,” she says.

“I found that I wished I could have given more to others during my time as a Fern and really used that platform it provides. So, now that I’m back as a Fern, I want to make the most of it.”

Duncan took the opportunity to do just that this week when joining young goalkeeper Nadia Olla on a visit to Auckland’s Ronald McDonald House, where the Ferns pair cooked lunch for the families and enjoyed a kick around with the children.

“It was really good to be able to slap some sausages on the barbie, give some food out and play a bit of football with the kids – it was a great experience,” Duncan says.

The life skills of the 31-year-old were also needed to pass on some barbequing tips to her younger team mate.

“My skills on the barbie are pretty non-existent so I had to learn a few things from Katie,” Olla, 19, admits.

“But I didn’t burn any sausages so that was a good outcome!”

Based at Auckland City Hospital and just a short stroll from Starship Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House supports families when their child is in hospital away from home. In 2018, over 4,300 families were provided with accommodation and support free of charge.

“It’s the first time I’ve been here so it was really cool to see all the kids and their families,” Olla says.

“We all had a really good time and the sausage sizzle was yum so it was a great day.”

In contrast to the vastly-experienced Duncan, Olla is hoping to attend her first ever senior World Cup and is bursting with excitement.

“I’ve got my fingers crossed that I’ll be there and I just can’t wait. To be around such amazing players and coming up against world-class opposition will be so cool.”

The Football Ferns have been drawn in Group E of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France and will take on the Netherlands, Canada and Cameroon from 11 June.

Details of their World Cup matches and pre-tournament build-up are as follows.

For more information on Ronald McDonald House please click here

Football Ferns pre-World Cup matches

USA vs New Zealand
Friday 17 May, 12pm NZT
Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

Mexico vs New Zealand (behind closed doors)
Thursday 23 May, 6am NZT
Red Bull Academy, New York

England vs New Zealand
Sunday 2 June, 12am NZT
AMEX Stadium, Brighton

Wales vs New Zealand
Wednesday 5 June, 6am NZT
Cardiff International Sports Stadium, Cardiff

FIFA Women’s World Cup

New Zealand vs Netherlands
Wednesday 12 June, 1am NZT
Stade Oceane, Le Havre

New Zealand vs Canada
Sunday 16 June, 7am NZT
Stade des Alpes, Grenoble

New Zealand vs Cameroon
Friday 21 June, 4am NZT
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier

Article added: Friday 26 April 2019