REFLECTING ON WORLD CUP GOLd:An interview with Lainee Harrison

Image: Lainee playing for the ParaMatildas. Credit: Image provided by Lainee Harrison

By Sophie Hodson (4/1/2025)

Lainee Harrison is a forward for the CommBank ParaMatildas squad. Born in Canberra on the 5th July 2004, Harrison has 7 appearances to her name, alongside 7 goals. Since making her debut on the 11th May 2022, she has gone on to achieve a 2022 IFCPF Women’s World Cup Silver Medal and a 2024 IFCPF Women’s World Cup Gold Medal as well.

The ParaMatildas team had a very successful 2024 IFCPF tournament which resulted in them finishing in first place. The USA, who had beaten them in the previous final, failed to replicate that victory this time around when the ParaMatildas came from 2 goals down to beat them 6-2 in Salou, Spain. Over the two week competition, the team didn’t lose a single game demonstrating the ability within their squad and belief that this was the year they would be victorious!

Towards the end of last month, Constancy Football had the opportunity to speak with Lainee Harrison post the World Cup win:

What makes the ParaMatildas so special?

I think being in a national team that is surrounded by females with cerebral palsy and ABI playing football is such a comforting environment to have these players who have had similar experiences growing up with a disability. It’s such a rewarding feeling being in the ParaMatildas with such an amazing bunch of girls!

Who is your hero?

My hero is my dad, he has been my number one supporter throughout my whole life, especially in football. I’ve always looked up to him and he has always been such an inspiration to me and the way he raised me. I’ve learned a lot from him and is the reason I am the person I am today.

How do you handle daily challenges?

I think growing up with a disability definitely teaches you resilience. That you come across these challenges and you subconsciously handle them, because of all the experiences I grew up with. I’ve learnt to be proactive and not react negatively to a lot of things when it comes to a point where it gets tough, you know how to deal with that.

I am quite prone to injury and after the World Cup in 2022, I suffered a stress fracture in my spine and I was out for around 18 months. I wasn’t allowed

to do anything, no swimming or running. Unfortunately, I missed out on the Para Asian cup held in Melbourne 2023 and these injuries also teach you mental resilience because at the time it was really hard to be in that position. Though you learn to accept it and move on and know that you’ll be back even better and stronger than you were before.

Can you share your journey into football and what inspired you to pursue it at a competitive level?

I started playing football around 4 years old. I grew up in a very footballing family, my siblings always played and my parents met through football. I played club level up until the age of 12 years old where I was introduced to cerebral palsy

football at the cerebral palsy alliance football camps held at Narraheen, Sydney. They were held about twice a year and were run by Pararoo Chris Pine. Being exposed to cerebral palsy football made me want to pursue this competitively.

2022 was a big year, because prior to this we only had a commercial camp (Asian Oceana camp) in 2019 with a few of the cerebral palsy Japanese players. It wasn’t until March 2022 where things started to really kick start for female cerebral palsy football, the ParaMatildas was created and we were on our way to the World Cup in May 2022. We were really proud of the efforts of

coming second at the inaugural World Cup but winning the World Cup this year was really the icing on the cake. I am so excited to see what this team is capable of in the near future.

What’s your most memorable moment with the ParaMatildas?

A memorable moment for me was definitely my debut against the Netherlands and also scoring against them. I think a few important firsts will always have a special place in my heart. I also think winning the World Cup was a memorable moment as it was a lifelong dream of mine that came true!

What goals do you have personally and for the team in the future?

Coming first in a World Cup was a goal for us, though we aren’t stopping there. I think the main ones are to be consistent and also build on what we have now is really important. Keeping our position as first world ranked and playing well in tournaments, I think that's all you can really ask for!

What advice would you give to young athletes with disabilities who aspire to play at a professional level?

I think generally just go out of your comfort zone and be involved with disability sport because you will never know what pathway it will take you. In my case, being involved with the ParaMatildas allowed me to experience everything I wanted to do in football, so being involved with disability sport is the best thing to do as you get to meet a lot of other athletes with disabilities.

What role do you think sports play in promoting inclusivity and awareness for people with disabilities?

I think disability sport is definitely getting a lot of recognition compared to a couple of years ago. As a result, more people are discussing inclusivity and awareness of athletes with disabilities, to shed a light on the hard work we have to go through playing a sport with a disability. Through sport, it has provided many outcomes for the future of athletes with a disability, that I am excited to see it play out over the next coming months to years.