A World Cup star who started her football journey on the Sunshine Coast is inspiring the next generation of players in the region.
Kyra Cooney-Cross first kicked a ball in earnest at local fields before working her way into the national team.
The 21-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of Australia’s brightest players at the Women’s World Cup and is poised to play a key role in a quarter-final against France in Brisbane on Saturday.
Her father, Jai Cross, was thrilled to see her at the highest level and starring for the Matildas.
“I’m rapt for her, especially as she’s been playing so well,” he said.
“I always knew she could play the way she’s been playing. It was always just a matter of time.”
Kyra’s passion for football was forged on the Sunshine Coast, where Jai played for the Sunshine Coast Fire in the state league and for Coolum Dolphins in the Sunshine Coast Football competition.
“She would watch us play all the time,” Jai said.
“She was always at my games and I guess that’s where it started.
“She would always kick a ball around there with the other kids.”
Kyra took part in a ‘Soccer Squirts’ program at Coolum, before joining Bli Bli United.
She played with the club for a couple of seasons in the Sunshine Coast Churches Soccer Association before her family moved to Alice Springs and then to Ballarat, where she was earmarked as a highly promising player.
Kyra left home to finish her schooling at Westfield Sports High in Sydney and she made her professional debut in the national league for Melbourne Victory, as a 15-year-old, in 2017.
She went through the ranks of the national under-17 and under-20 teams before making her debut for the Matildas in 2021, when she competed at the Tokyo Olympics.
She has played 32 games for the national side.
Jai said Kyra’s success was “definitely a reward for all of her hard work”.
“When she was younger, she just loved playing and loved going to training and one thing led to another and here we are,” he said.
Jai said his daughter was playing with the youthful enthusiasm and freedom that she did as a youngster.
“She’s expressing herself and not holding back, which is great to see,” he said.
“She’s basically playing how she played as a kid: always hungry for the ball.
“She always wanted to be the best player and she’s showing that, so I’m stoked for her.
“She’s playing super-consistent now, which is great.”
Kyra, who is currently signed to a Swedish club, has captured attention from more overseas clubs with her performances at the World Cup.
“I’m excited for what’s going to happen next for her,” Jai said.
“Rumours are going around, and I know she’s already spoken to one big club overseas.
“So, I think this (World Cup) is just the beginning for her and she’s going to have a pretty good future.”
Kyra’s family members have cheered her on at the Cup and they have caught up with her occasionally between games, including a relaxing day at Caloundra.
“We were able to spend the whole day there with her, which was nice,” Jai said.
“We didn’t talk about football too much. We took her mind off it a bit. It’s nice to get away from everything and have a bit of balance.”
They will cheer her on again against the French at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 5pm).
“It’s definitely going to be a good game. There wasn’t much between the teams in a friendly game before the World Cup,” said Jai, who now lives on the Central Coast.
Sunshine Coast Churches Soccer Association president and Bli Bli United vice-president Eddie Muller said the local football community would be inspired by Kyra’s efforts.
“It’s pretty amazing,” he said.
“There are a number of people who have come up to me and said: ‘I can’t believe a player came through your club who has made it into the Australian team.’
“There’s definitely a lot of talk about her and we hope it will increase the popularity of football and increase participation numbers here.”
Kyra was asked last week what the Matildas’ aims were in the tournament.
“To win the World Cup … that’s our main focus,” she said.
She has started all four of their matches, impressing with her intensity and passing range.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has publicly admired the young playmaker, while Arsenal men’s great Ian Wright was among those singing her praises.
But Kyra insisted she wasn’t looking beyond this tournament.
“I’ve just been thinking about now and doing well at the World Cup,” she said in late July.
“I want to show myself (at) this World Cup.”
Teammate Katrina Gorry told AAP before the tournament that Kyra could reach the top but that she did not need to rush.
“She can be one of the best players in the world,” she said.
“She’s definitely one of the best midfielders here.
“I don’t think she needs to accelerate too quickly. She’s still young, she needs to keep on learning and keep on growing and finding good environments for her.”
– with AAP
