Katie Duncan is an integral part of the Football Ferns’ story. The midfielder made her debut in 2006 and has since earned over 100 caps for the national team, whilst playing professionally in Germany, England, Switzerland and Australia.

In 2019, she announced a return from retirement to represent New Zealand again, in this crucial World Cup year. Her experience will undoubtedly benefit their preparations. It is remarkable to think that Duncan began her footballing career not knowing women’s national teams even existed.

Growing up in the Waikato, Duncan (nee Hoyle) began her journey to the Ferns with Cambridge United. Encouraged by her parents who provided “every possible opportunity to play sport”, Duncan started football at four years old.

“My older brother played and I just wanted to be like him,” she said. Her brother went from idol to teammate, as Duncan played up a grade in a boys’ team for several years.

“It made me tough,” she says, but playing with the boys was not a development choice. It was the only option. “At that point in time, there just wasn’t enough girls playing. But now, there’s way more opportunities and a chance to be able to play with other girls.”

Balancing football with “every sport under the sun” until she was 15, Duncan chose football, her better sport, which she enjoyed the most. But she could never have imagined then where that choice would take her. Not only were there not many girls playing football, there was not much women’s sport to watch either.

“I watched the All Blacks, but not women’s sport. Never. I knew the Olympics existed, for example, but I never imagined going. I didn’t think it was possible,” she said.  

Gradually, Duncan’s involvement representing New Zealand increased. It began with the Secondary Schools side.

“I was playing left-back. I wouldn’t say I was a stand-out player. From there that progressed to U-16 squad camps, then Under-17, then it was Under-20s with John [Herdman]. Then he got the Ferns job, and he basically took all of the Under-20s.  That was a turning point.

“[John] was exactly what I needed at that time. He focused on the technical side and that helped me develop.”  

Since then, Duncan has become a key player for the Football Ferns. She has travelled with the side to FIFA Women’s World Cups and Olympic Games, both events she never imagined attending. So how did she become the player we know today?

“I was a decent enough player. But I vividly remember watching Kirsty Yallop. She’s a great player, a couple of years older. I was like, I want to be like her. I want to be as good as her. That helped me to have confidence. I gave myself more confidence. I became a better player, just from believing in myself. So I thought, I’m going to stick with this philosophy and grow.

“I’m a massive believer in everything you do, you want to be the best version of yourself and improve. I think that helped me come back into the Ferns. I believe that if you’re going to be at a football training, then do it 100 percent.”

Her wife, Cilla Duncan, was a crucial support to Duncan throughout her career. “She pushed me to be better, literally especially in the first few years as we were competing against each other in the New Zealand team, and then with her support and encouragement for the rest of the time. That included around three years long distance in stages. Without her I would not have played for so long!”

Duncan also talked about the privilege of being able to represent your country, and the importance of her family.

“What I remember was going through all the camps, which cost a lot of money. So I got to the point where I thought, my parents have done so much for me to give me this opportunity, so I wanted to make the most of that and repay them.

When you are in the national team, it’s a weird feeling because it’s such an honour for one, you get to represent your country and also, importantly to me, your family”.

These days, Duncan also gives back to the wider football community as both a coach and a physical education teacher. And that’s where she really sees the wider importance of football for young girls.

“I’m a massive advocate for team sports. I’m a trained PE teacher and the reason I’m so drawn to that is I believe that schools should have PE as the first topic and work from there. You can learn so much from physical education about yourself; about working with others; confidence; determination; failure and success. Take that to football, there’s so much on offer in terms of personal development and community.'

“Why should it be limited to boys? Girls thrive in the community, team environment, and social aspect of it. At Onehunga Sports [where Duncan coaches], I made it all about the team, about the culture. And it bred success.”

Katie Duncan has valuable experience to offer as a coach, having played professionally. Duncan spent time at first SC 07 Bad Neuenahr, then Notts County, FC Zurich and Melbourne Victory. In her view, the development of that pathway for female footballers has also changed the way the sport can impact lives and empower women.

“Young footballers can go, ‘I can get my university paid for, I can play anywhere in the world, I can make a living, or I can be a coach, or a journalist’.  Don’t let male-dominated fields stop you from doing that.”

That’s why Duncan thinks festivals like Girls and Women’s Week, and anything that elevates women involved in football, is important. Growing up, she didn’t have women to watch as role models.

“There’s no doubt that if people watch women’s sport they’ll say ‘this is competitive, and highly skilled’. But how do they know about it if it doesn’t get shown? People will slowly start to catch on, to actually these women deserve that time.

“I think it’s awesome how slowly, women’s sport is being showcased. I believe that will result in young girls and boys watching it and going I want to be like her, I want to go to the Olympics. That’s massive for the future of New Zealand football because there is something to aspire to”.

And being a role model is where Katie Duncan derives much of her love of the game.

“It’s why love it so much. That’s where I get the most joy: if I can have an impact on someone’s life.”

Story credit: Helena Wiseman. 

Article added: Wednesday 20 February 2019