The Southern United footballer grew up on the sidelines of Dunedin’s football fields and her passion for the game has only grown through the years.
"I’ve really found it’s just a bit of a family," Pratley said.
"It’s been a bit of an outlet this year. It’s been nice just coming away from day-to-day life.
"I just come back to the turf and it’s always going to be a great group of people down there. These people I’ve known since I was little and kind of grown up with.
"It’s such a safe space. That’s something I just love about it — the people."
The 19-year-old is relishing her first full season with the National League team, having previously debuted at 16.
She was a core member of the Southern under-18 team and was often called up for the women’s team in recent years.
It showed the pathway between the two representative teams was strong, with the under-18s training alongside the senior team and often travelling to away games together.
"It’s a really good pathway.
"There’s quite a good connection between the two teams. It’s been really cool."
The left wingback played all her junior football for Maori Hill before moving to Roslyn-Wakari as a teenager.
She played two seasons of youth football at the club before she debuted for the premier side at 14.
"I’m still playing for them at the moment. Roslyn’s been a great club."
Pratley, who also played first XI football for Columba College, was part of Dunedin’s bid to bring the Fifa Women’s Football World Cup to the city and recalled the tournament as one of her football highlights.
She attended the games in Dunedin and her mother surprised her with a trip to Australia to watch the final.
"It was so cool seeing it come to life here.
"That was just an amazing year."
Women’s football had made big strides in recent years, especially in the wake of the World Cup.
The South Island women’s league helped the level of football in the South explode and Pratley and her sister coach some of the junior girls sessions at Roslyn.
"It’s developed so much. It’s just so cool seeing the number of girls we have coming down to these sessions."
Southern sit fifth on the National League table with four wins, one draw and three losses.
They wrap up their season against seventh-placed Western Springs, who have three wins five losses, at Logan Park Turf tomorrow.
Pratley, who has just finished her first year studying at the University of Otago, knew Southern needed a good start.
"We just need to go in with a really positive mindset and bringing the energy from the first whistle will be really important, because they’re a tough opposition.
"Hopefully we can get a win."
Auckland United, the defending champions who have locked away top spot, are away to Wellington United and Canterbury United Pride host Central today.
Tomorrow, West Coast Rangers are home to Phoenix Reserves and Eastern Suburbs meet Petone.
Eastern Suburbs, Wellington United and West Coast Rangers are all in with a chance of making the final.
