KATIE ROOD
“We must protect and nurture the environment if we want to sustain sports in years to come.
Meet Katie Rood, a passionate nature lover and football enthusiast. She played professional football for Juventus, Southampton and Lewes FC as well as the New Zealand National Team for 7 years until she ruptured her ACL in 2023. Following her football career, she decided to head home to New Zealand to explore opportunities there and is the Girls Academy Manager at Western Springs AFC.
“Sport is in our blood here in New Zealand. I played Rugby and Hockey from the age of 4 and picked up football as well at 8 years old. It's been almost non-stop ever since.”
“The journey has been incredibly isolating at times but occasionally you meet someone who helps you see yourself in a different light. “Karen Dobres at Lewes FC is someone I was fortunate enough to cross paths with. She encouraged me to speak on things I was passionate about and used her influence to amplify player voices. Karen helped give me the confidence to be myself.”
The Power of Sport
“I was in Spain when the Men's team won the Euros in 2008. I've never known noise like it! The streets erupted for hours on end. It was my first insight into the relevance football has in people's lives all across the globe.
Sport has the power to change the world, and we all have a part we can play in it. Whether it's at a grassroot level or in the elite space, we can improve and adapt how we operate to ensure a better future for those next generations coming through.”
Environmental Sustainability in Sport
“I think sports organisations should be leading in environmental sustainability. Everything sport does depends deeply on the environment in which we participate. We must protect and nurture the environment if we want to sustain sports in years to come.
The Halo Effect at Southampton is a great initiative that touches on 4 corners of sustainability that is embedded throughout the entire club. Staff have had training and workshops to understand the importance of these initiatives and how they can play their part in it all. Fans have also been involved and shown how these initiatives can help give the club a competitive advantage.”
“Working in sport can be gruelling, tough and lonely sometimes. Finding a balance between your career and life is important so not everything hinges on the result or your performance. Find good friends and community to support you through it all.”
