AAP News
Teenage striker Grace Kuilamu wants to inspire the next generation of Pasifika athletes. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)
Grace Kuilamu has big dreams, an eye for goal and a determination to show the next generation of Pasifika athletes what’s possible.
A Matildas call-up is seemingly a matter of when, not if, for the talented 17-year-old.
Kuilamu has starred at Brisbane Roar, after returning from a knee reconstruction, and is in the thick of her first Young Matildas camp for the PacificAus Four Nations Tournament.
The teenage striker captained Australia’s under-20s on debut and scored in Wednesday’s 9-0 win over the Solomon Islands in Canberra – and will likely again lead the line against Vanuatu on Saturday, then Thailand on Tuesday.
Kuilamu, who along with teammate Avaani Prakash is of Fijian descent, is embracing the opportunity to show what she can do – especially to those also hailing from the Pacific region.
“There’s not many of us who come from the Pacific and get to go and play for their country even at a young age,” Kuilamu told AAP.
“So it’s definitely a privilege to play for them. It’s really exciting as well to showcase the smaller countries in the region.
“Obviously being that kind of role model to younger girls starting up in their footballing career (is special).
“For me when I was younger as well, it was good to look up to certain Pasifika background athletes who are succeeding in their own various sports.
“So to be that person or striving to be that person is a really exciting thing.”
Kuilamu’s father is Fijian and her mother is Romanian – but the Queenslander, inspired by Mary Fowler, has her sights set on doing big things for Australia.
“I’ve definitely looked up to Fowler in the Matildas,” she said.
“She’s obviously a different player with a different position but her kind of game really inspired me.”
Kuilamu also looks to Matildas skipper Sam Kerr’s style of play for inspiration, given Australia’s all-time leading goal scorer played on the wing before moving centrally.
But Kuilamu is entirely her own player.
“Since before injury I was flexible along the top from wingers to striker – I’m leaning more towards striker recently,” she said with a smile.
“It’s great to help out the team where I can – I think I’m pretty good with any attacking position.”
AAP understands a national team call-up isn’t necessarily that far off either, with Kuilamu among those in the Matildas’ long list ahead of the SheBelieves Cup.
And she’s daring to dream, while keeping her feet firmly on the ground.
“It definitely is a goal to one day make the Matildas – hopefully in the coming years,” she said.
“For now just still working hard but it’s definitely a goal that I want to achieve one day.”
Kuilamu has also put in the work to make her mark on the game, working through her knee rehabilitation while finishing school.
Now, juggling football with first-year engineering studies at university, Kuilamu has scored five goals and notched two assists across 15 games for the Roar this season.
She has thrived alongside established Matildas veteran Tameka Yallop, while seeing teammates Sharn and Laini Freier crack the national team has given her an extra boost.
“The girls around you, they’re making it and it shows the path they’re taking and that it’s always possible,” Kuilamu said.
