If there’s one word to describe Heidelberg United’s 18-year-old goalkeeper, it’s determined.

From the age of six, Natasha Stathopoulos has been in a league of her own when it comes to pushing past any boundaries that have been put in her way. Even broken bones couldn’t scare her away from her dream.

“I was at the Oakleigh Cannons from six years old until I was about ten, then I broke my arm because I was playing with the boys, so dad said ‘we’re getting you out of that’. I moved to the Caulfield Cobras, back in the day that’s what they were called, then I moved to Ashburton United and then the opportunity with Heidelberg in the NPL came around,” she told Neos Kosmos. 

For the last five years, Stathopoulos has been digging in her boots as a goalkeeper with Alexander’s front, taking on the new exciting challenge with gusto, but credits her new skillset to some important mentors.

“There’s a couple of coaches in particular that have impacted my development and my emotional state especially over the last few years. George Georgiadis who is my current coach and he has been for the past five years. He’s been a pretty big figure in my life. He’s always there, always a shoulder to lean on, listens to me when I’m frustrated,” she said.

“Another big one was Jeff Olver. I’ve only been a goalkeeper for five or so year and he’s taught me the techniques, tips and tricks and really perfected my game style and I’m really grateful the he took the time to work with me.”

Between studying a Bachelor in Sport and Exercise Science at La Trobe, coaching and working a job, Stathopoulos has got her work cut out for her, but is keeping a keen eye on one day making it overseas to the big leagues.

The young goalie talks overcoming stereotypes, pushing her team to new heights and some pre-game superstitions.

READ MORE: Creativity on and off the field: Q&A with Heidelberg’s Catherine Ioannidis

What drew you to football?

I started playing with boys, so I think the aggression and they physical side of the game really drew me to play it. I grew up in a household with mainly women, so dad was the only male. So getting to do something that wasn’t typically a ‘female sport’ or a female dominated area I think was a bit different and I enjoyed that.

It’s game day, what do you do to get in the zone before the match?

I like to rock up to the ground early, set up all my stuff. I always set up my gloves because I’m a goalkeeper, my shin guards, my kit, making sure I’ve got it all out and ready.

It’s always left sock before the right sock and left boot before the right boot, that’s a little superstition I have. That’s how I get ready, being by myself and in my element.

Top 3 training songs?

Ever since I was in my under 15 days, we’ve had a gameday playlist. The Every Time We Touch remix is always one that goes off, Latch by Disclosure and Sam Smith is a good one and the Kiss Me Thru the Phone remix.

What do you find most challenging about the game?

Probably how everybody views the game differently, more on the teamwork side. Everybody views the game differently so working together when you’ve got opposing views and different ideas can be a bit difficult.

I’m a very opinionated person. When I’m out on the field, it’s kind of hard to control myself sometime when I disagree but we manage.

What has been a highlight in your sporting career thus far?

It has to be tied between representing Victoria for school sports Victoria, I went to that competition in 2017. And probably representing Australia in futsal.

We got to travel to Spain and the UK back in 2017 also. It was more of a tour and our games got cancelled due to some scheduling error but it was a great experience and I was quite young at the time so it was good to travel on my own and experience everything on a professional level.

How has football impacted your life?

Well it’s one of the only things I ever do. If I’m not studying, I’m at soccer, playing football. It’s more or less taken over the fmaily discussions and it’s at the centre of our family at the minute so it’s my whole life.

What is something you learned about yourself through playing the game?

That I’ve got a short temper. That’s one of the main things I’ve learnt.

What do you hope to achieve in the next year?

I’m looking to hopefully break into the W-League. It might not be a year long goal, it might be a bit long but if I can get it done in a year, even better.

I think the thing that appeals to me most about the W-League is that it’s a stepping stone towards bigger and better things. We’ve seen all these female footballers at the minute, you’ve got your Sam Kerr’s and Steph Catley’s, they’re all in London now competing in one of the best leagues in the world, they’ve also gone to the US.

I think it’s a great opportunity to lay down the foundation and get a feel of what the professional leagues are like.

What’s something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

Probably that I wasn’t always a goalkeeper. People are surprised when they hear that, I’ve only been a goalkeeper for five years, minus COVID is four.

I’d been everywhere on the pitch, started in defense for about four years or so, then I moved to midfield and a striker and then we needed a goalkeeper so they told my to jump in the goals, ‘you’re pretty good at it’, now I’m stuck there.

Favourite way to unwind after a game?

A quick feed with some teammates and when I get home, just the normal Netflix.

What are you most looking forward to in 2021?

Football wise it’s seeing where out team gets to. We’re quite a tight knit group and I just want to see how we develop throughout the year and where we can reach.

We have so much potential, we just haven’t unlocked it yet.

In general, it’s just about having fun, going out with mates after a year of not leaving the house and being locked indoors.

What is something you want to be remembered by?

I just want to be remembered as a leader. I just want people to think ‘She didn’t do it for herself, she did it for the team or for the club. She lead us to do great things’.

What do you think is the greatest misconception of women in sport?

Probably that we can’t compete. Growing up in that boy’s system, people always assumed I couldn’t compete. I remember one time in particular, I was the only girl on the team and the opposition said ‘there’s a girl on the pitch, she’s going to get hurt, take her off’.

This is where I learnt I had a short temper…I dropped one of their players who was a boy and they wanted to card me! They wanted to give me a red card. I thought we’re playing under nines soccer, are you serious?