For this week’s WA On Wednesday NPLW WA player interview feature, Perth RedStar‘s Sarah Carroll speaks to Ben Gilby about her footballing journey which included being involved in some of Perth Glory’s biggest matches, and why being happy at RedStar is leading to her playing at such a consistently outstanding level.
Above: Sarah Carroll lifts the Night Series Trophy with head coach Carlos Vega Mena after their win over Balcatta Etna in this year’s Final. Photo: Football West/Fotoenzo.
Sarah Carroll has been an integral part of the Western Australian women’s football scene for a number of years and remains one of the most influential players on any pitch she plays on.
The Perth RedStar icon is having yet another stellar season in the NPLW WA after previously being part of Perth Glory’s successes in the W-League as well as winning a silver medal as part of a Young Matildas squad in the 2013 AFF Championships.
Carroll’s footballing journey started over 20 years ago, playing with her brother and two brothers. It was love at first kick and at the age of nine, led to her joining her first club.
“Starting at Heathridge Football Club (now Joondalup City FC), I moved to Northern Redbacks (now Perth RedStar) at 16 for a season. I was part of WAIS as a scholarship player, then progressed to full-time NTC. At 16, I debuted for Perth Glory, where I was fortunate to represent the club for 10 years. I represented Australia at U17s and Young Matildas levels. After a stint away, I returned to Redbacks and now Perth Redstar.”
Carroll describes herself as “a quiet achiever, I like to focus on doing my job. Leading by example is important to me, both on and off the field, setting a positive tone for younger players and those around me. I can probably get a little fiery at times, but that’s just passion.”
As with any career, Carroll’s has come with ups and downs, and she has suffered more than her fair share of serious injuries. The RedStar player pointed out the dual impacts that they had on her.
“Not just due to the physical toll, but also the mental challenge. I experienced a period of two to three seasons where I faced consecutive injuries, significantly disrupting my football. Each injury kept me sidelined for six to eight weeks or even longer. Taking it one day at a time, celebrating small victories, and maintaining a clear vision or goal to hold onto. It’s important to let that vision drive and motivate you every day.”
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One of the earliest high points in Carroll’s career was her selection for the Australian U20 squad that took part in the 2013 AFF Championships in Myanmar. Among her teammates on that trip were the likes of Hayley Raso, Chloe Logarzo, and Emma Checker. It was a journey that saw the team go all the way to the Final, with Carroll being one of the successful penalty-takers in the squad that lost 5-3 in the shootout. She still looks back on those days with real pride.
“It was an incredible experience overall. Any opportunity to represent the national team, regardless of the age group, is a huge honour. To achieve a medal in what was a tough competition was a great achievement and a credit to the team we had. Such an incredible group of players and staff. It’s up there as one of the highlights of my career.”
Two years prior to that, Carroll became part of the Perth Glory side. After being part of the squad that finished second in 2012/13 and then in 2014 won the Premiers’ Plate, she was an integral part of the club’s Golden Age that saw the team make three W-League Grand Finals. It was a period full of memories that will last forever.
“Winning the Premiers Plate for the first time in the club’s history was special. The semi-final against Sydney FC at NIB Stadium stands out as one of the best games I’ve ever experienced. The result and breaking the record for crowd attendance at the time (1,592) made it even more special, especially since it was a home game.
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“Despite the results, playing in three Grand Finals was unforgettable. These are the kind of matches every footballer dreams of being a part of, especially when you’re alongside your closest friends and teammates.
“Not only did we have incredibly talented players at the club, but they were also fantastic people. The high standard set within the team brought out the best in everyone, creating a competitive yet healthy environment. I learned a lot from the players around me during that time, but two things that stay with me are the little things count and you play your best football when you’re happy.”
Those two points have provided an important pointer for the current period in Carroll’s career. Perth RedStar is her happy place – and the consequence of that is a consistently high level of performance both individually and collectively that mark her out as one of the best players in the competition.
When you see Carroll dominating possession, pushing forward, linking up with those around her, and lining up a free-kick, you know that RedStar are purring and at their best. Typically though, she is modest about her influence on the team – and sees the sense of a RedStar family as the real key to the club’s outstanding success.
“The teammates I have are the best. The quality of players at our club plays a huge part in me being able to perform. The support from the coaching staff and the culture that we have at the club, I enjoy my football at RedStar and when you enjoy what you do, you perform.
“The coaching staff prepare us the best they can for every game, but I think the most important thing is our mentality. We take every game as it comes and we only think about the game we’re about to play, respect the team we come up against and we stick together, always.
“Every game is a final for us, if we want to continue to be successful and continue to get better then we have to approach every game with the same mentality. Carlos (Vega Mena, head coach) reminds us often that we’re a family, and I think that shows on the pitch. We back each other, we never give up and we always find a way to win.
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“The quality in our playing group and the consistency of our squad over a number of years is one contributing factor to our success, but the other is our mentality and culture. The quality of our playing group and the consistency of our squad over a number of years is one contributing factor to our success, but the other is our mentality and culture.
“It’s the best group, we all want the best out of each other and we set the standards high. But we are on the same page, we’re all pulling in the same direction to achieve what we want to achieve as a team. We have a good balance of experience and youth, and the quality and potential of that is exciting. We always stick together and I love playing alongside the girls each week.”
With Carroll’s experience having played in the league for a number of years, she has a unique insight into the growth of the competition and the standards. Plenty has been done and there is a lot more to do.
“We’ve seen teams strengthen and become more competitive as a result, but we really only have a few teams challenging for the league, outside of the top four there is quite a gap. We are still losing players to the NPL competitions over East, so I think we still have a long way to go.”
RedStar remain the team to beat in the competition – and their sustained success sees them with a large target on their back, and pressure on them to continue their incredible run is, externally, large. However, they are a club who have always had the ethos of developing young players and bringing them through. It’s what makes them who they are. Seeing new faces make their mark in a RedStar shirt is arguably more important than winning trophies – it ensures the club’s future is as healthy as its present.
“As a team, we’re ambitious and we want to win trophies. This club has a history of success and we want to continue that. But our performances, the football we play, the development of our younger players, and providing them with opportunities are also important to us.
“If, by the end of the season we achieve silverware, can reflect and be proud of our performances, and know that as individuals and a team we gave everything, then I’d say it’s a good season.”
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