Courtesy: Queensland Times


Kate's eyeing higher goals

by David Lems

8th December 2009

WHEN you’re fit, fast and focused, finding enough challenges to keep you satisfied can be difficult.

That’s why multi-talented Ipswich sportswoman Kate Lutkins wants to join the army.

However, before making such an admirable commitment, she’s desperate to serve her country in another capacity – at her second futsal World Cup.

Having recently represented Australia in China, Lutkins is training hard for the national futsal titles in Sydney next month.

With hot competition to make Australia’s World Cup squad, Lutkins has one eye on that goal and another on the army.

“I definitely want to focus on making the World Cup team and see how it goes,” Lutkins, 21, said.

The Raceview-based footballer, Aussie rules player, baseballer and futsal fanatic is prepared to delay her army ambitions to achieve that.

“It’s always something that I’ve wanted to do,” the former cadet said of army life.

“Like defend my country, look after my country.”

Her first mission is to see what Australia can achieve in futsal, having been part of the national team that finished sixth at last year’s World Cup in Spain.

“I’m feeling good at the moment. I’m working on it,” she said.

Lutkins said while the standard and profile of futsal in China wasn’t as high as last year’s World Cup, Australia’s six unbeaten performances at the eight-day international provincial tournament were beneficial.

“It was pretty good. It allowed us (the national team) to work together,” she said.

“I improved as the carnival went on. We played New Zealand in the final and I think that was my best game.”

The Aussie women overpowered their main rivals 5-3 in the final. That came after an earlier physical battle with the Kiwis, where Lutkins scored in a 2-0 win.

The Australian World Cup squad will be announced at the conclusion of next month’s national titles.

Lutkins is also keen to play again for the Ipswich Knights in football next season.

But don’t expect the former Ipswich Girls’ Grammar and West Moreton Anglican College student to sit too long on the bench.

Like futsal and the army, she likes to keep on the move.








Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com