Kicking Goals Journal

Louise Blair is a children's football book author who lives in Sydney, Australia. Lou wrote Kicking Goals Journal with Matildas captain Sam Kerr to help young players learn more about the game they both love. She grew up in a small town in England, teaching herself to play football by kicking a ball against the wall and copying the players on Match of the Day. She played whenever she could – with the boys at school, in the streets, at the local park, and on an old concrete court. Later, after moving to Australia, her love of the game continued to grow. Lou has been playing, watching and coaching ever since. In her free time when she is not writing, reading or drinking tea, you will find her walking and attempting to train her very naughty golden retriever puppy. Having two children who love both football and reading has also inspired her. She wrote the book for them – a book she wished she had as a kid. To find out more, follow @kickinggoalsjournal

Sam Kerr is the captain of the Australia women’s national soccer team – the Matildas – and a leading goal scorer for Chelsea in the English FA Women’s Super League. She burst onto the W-League scene as a 15-year-old playing with Perth Glory. In 2016 she played for the Matildas at the Olympics in Brazil, and she was the top goal scorer in the 2017 Tournament of Nations. Since joining Chelsea in 2019, Sam has positioned herself as one of the best female strikers in the world. She was named 2018 Young Australian of the Year.