Natalia Gait\u00e1n (28 years old, Bogot\u00e1), captain of the Colombian and Valencian National Teams, will lead the “Ches” in Sunday’s derby against Levante.<\/p>\n
What are your first memories with a ball?<\/strong><\/p>\n I started playing in the streets of my neighbourhood in Bogot\u00e1 with my father and my brother.<\/p>\n Did you consider becoming a professional player back then?<\/strong><\/p>\n It was very rare for a girl to play and I never imagined dedicating myself to it or representing my country in World Cups or the Olympic Games.<\/p>\n So rare you had to leave the country to do it…<\/strong><\/p>\n Going to the US allowed me to combine my soccer training with my international business and management career. It was a wonderful experience. Now, I collaborate with Sports Unlimited to get scholarships at American universities for other athletes. We’re strengthening scouting for women’s soccer and getting the players more opportunities to go over there.<\/p>\n Before you emigrated, was it difficult to play in Colombia?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes. There were no teams and the most difficult thing was to open doors and show that women can also play.<\/p>\n She also had to overcome setbacks such as a serious illness.<\/strong><\/p>\n I had leukaemia when I was five years old. Luckily I don’t remember much about it. I was in chemotherapy for two years, but I wasn’t aware how serious it was. Years later I realised its importance. Overcoming leukaemia made me grow up very quickly.<\/p>\n Why did you decide to sign up for Valencia in 2015?<\/strong><\/p>\n I wanted to continue being a professional in a competitive league and in my own country I couldn’t do that. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. I’m very happy here.<\/p>\n What’s the situation with women’s soccer in your country?<\/strong><\/p>\n There is nothing established (calendar, teams, etc.) either in the League or in the national team. We’d like there to be a project. This year the league lasted three months and the contracts were signed for that period. It’s difficult to have stability as an athlete.<\/p>\n For you personally, how is the rise of Spanish women’s soccer experienced from inside?<\/strong><\/p>\n They’ve changed the training grounds, the facilities, stadiums have opened up, there’s broadcasting… They’re things that weren’t there a few years ago.<\/p>\n But, what’s missing is an agreement that regulates conditions…<\/strong><\/p>\n We’ve been going round and round the same issues for a long time. Hopefully there’ll be a solution soon and we all benefit.<\/p>\n The agreement includes points such as protocol against harassment, an issue that was suffered in the Colombian National Team.<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes. In the National Team we made formal complaints about this matter so it doesn’t happen again. They were lower level players and we gave them all our support.<\/p>\n Valencia isn’t having a good time at the moment…<\/strong><\/p>\n It would really lovely really show what we’re made of against Levante this Sunday. A derby is a different kind of experience and we hope to be on top form.<\/p>\n What do you put the team’s bad results down to?<\/strong><\/p>\n We’ve got several players injured plus new coaching team and plans. We have to keep on working so we can change course.<\/p>\n