Little did Douglass realise at the time that those regular kick-to-kick sessions would lay the foundation for future state selection and a VFLW contract.

The Girton Grammar Year 12 student has been selected in the Victora Country under-18 girls squad for the upcoming national championships and recently signed with VFLW club Williamstown.

"I always kicked the footy with my brother and Dad and I loved it so much,'' Douglass said on Thursday.

"I played school footy and from there I played in the South Bendigo under-18 women's team.

"That led to being invited to train with the Bendigo Pioneers."

In her time in the Pioneers program, Douglass developed her kicking to an elite level for under-18 girls and this season she held down full-back where she quickly became one of the premier defenders in the NAB League.

"Kate was always a good kick of the footy and her footy smarts and footy sense have improved over the journey,'' Pioneers under-18 girls coach Shawn McCormick said.

"Her competitive work one-on-one is outstanding. For a girl that's quiet and unassuming she has a real competitive spike.

"She was rarely beaten one-on-one all season. It's terrific to see Kate get the opportunity to play at the next level... she deserves it after the work she's put in."

Douglass will be joined in the Victoria Country squad by her Pioneers' team-mates Brooke Hards (Mildura) and Elizabeth Snell (Kyneton).

That trio helped the Pioneers to a much more competitive NAB League season where the club narrowly missed out on playing finals.

"This year was a big step up from last year,'' Douglass said.

"All our skill levels improved this year and as a group we loved footy more. We were a much tighter group."

Douglass said McCormick's coaching and ability to communicate with the girls was integral to her individual development and the team improvement.

"Shawn makes training so interesting.

"Even all his sayings like "grouse, grouse Mickey Mouse" make training much better.

"I learned a lot from him."

Douglass' rise through the footy ranks could potentially put her promising cricket career on the backburner.

A Victorian representative at under-12 level, Douglass played in state championships for Northern Rivers and is in the Plenty Valley squad in Melbourne Premier Cricket.

"I really enjoy all ball sports, but I'm probably edging towards football,'' she said.

"I still love cricket and I want to try to get to some Plenty Valley games over the summer, but we'll have to wait and see."

Douglass' first game with Victoria Country is on June 22 against Vic Metro.

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