Veteran midfielder Kylie Ledbrook has continued to make her mark in the Westfield W-League this season.
Having started her career in the inaugural season of the Westfield W-League, Ledbrook has become a namesake associated with the national competition.
Her career has seen her amass a number of appearances and close to 20 goals, making her a vital acquisition for the Red & Black this season.
Ledbrook came to the Wanderers with a wealth of experience under her belt representing Australia in the U20 World Cup, the Olympic Games and the AFC Asian Cup in 2010.
Capped 19-times by the West eld Matildas, Ledbrook said she was excited to link-up with her local club for the very first time.
“Coming over to the Wanderers, I was very excited,” said Ledbrook.
“I was a little bit anxious about what was going to happen but I was con dent with the team that we selected.
“Unfortunately, throughout the season we haven’t been able to get three points yet but I know that’s coming, it’s our time.”
Ledbrook’s entire Westfield W-League career was spent at the Sky Blues prior to making the switch.
In 2013, Ledbrook retired from professional football to set up her career off the field and focus on her family and after playing casually with the Macarthur Rams in the NSW NPL Women’s competition she decided to return back to top tier football last season.
Ledbrook was prominent upon her return to the competition and led the Sky Blues to the Grand Final, appearing in every match and scoring six goals.
Following the switch to the Red & Black, Ledbrook has become an important leader both on and off the field, and an inspiration to the next generation of Wanderers coming through Dan Barrett’s ranks.
“We’ve been training hard, going through different kinds of game plans,” said Ledbrook.
“I’m confident that the team’s going to come along in the long run.
“The club has definitely looked after me, as you know I’ve got a family as well so they’ve been very supportive in that direction.”
Scoring her first goal for the club against Melbourne Victory, Ledbrook said a fellow player inspired her to make the epic strike from halfway.
“It was one of the players, Pommy (Caitlin Jarvie) that turned around to me prior to the game and said, you know you’ve got the technique. You just need to shoot when you’ve got the opportunity.
“It kind of just came into my head against the Victory.
“You know there were a couple of times I was screaming for the ball so I could have a shot, and then, I finally got it and went nah, this is it.
“I’m just going to take it on my own and just have a shot.”
Ledbrook, who is balancing a career outside of football, family, and the sport itself, believes the key motivation for her extensive career has been inspiring her family.
“It’s definitely been tough, two kids, one’s nearly four and one’s one, so they notice that I’m not home a lot.
“But to have them at the game, run on after the game, and be so happy when I score.
“My daughter’s like “You scored for me!”
“But it’s definitely tough in the long run, it’s all for them and it’s about them understanding that you can balance everything, and just do what you love and at this point this is what I love.”
