This week, Australian National Team players Steph Catley and Laura Alleway joined the Orlando Pride in training. With two preseason matches in their first week, the Aussies are jumping right in and getting some minutes early on.

“It’s been awesome,” Catley said after training on Friday. “There’s some world class players all around this team.”

Catley played under Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni when he was the head coach of the Australian Women’s National Team in 2012 and she is excited to be playing under him again. “He’s just awesome. He watches the game so carefully,” Catley said. “I feel like I’m gonna grow a lot as a player under him.”

Catley is among the Pride players who spent last season with the Portland Thorns, the Pride’s opponent in their April 17th season opener. “It was a bit of a surprise and a bit of a shock,” Catley said with a smile. “It’s an exciting first round. You can’t get better than that.”

But for now, the Pride’s focus is on their preseason match tomorrow against Florida State University. Catley and Alleway got some minutes in Wednesday’s preseason victory, but Catley is hoping to play more tomorrow. “We’re still trying to just get our physical attributes back,” Catley said. “Hopefully we can get a few more minutes in this week and really start to learn the players around us.”

“I’m loving it here. It’s amazing,” Catley said. “It’s a real family.”