Faulconbridge 12-year-old Olivia De La Harpe hopes to one day play for the Matildas. She’s one goal closer to making that happen, after being selected in the under 12 girls state Primary Schools Sports Association soccer team.
Olivia will travel to Port Kennedy, Western Australia on Sunday to compete against other state representative teams at the All Schools Sport Australian Championships.
She has undergone a rigorous selection process to make the final team of 14, which was named after three days of NSWPSSA (New South Wales Primary Schools Sports Association) state soccer trials in Albury in June. She competed against more than 180 girls to make the under 12 girls team.
She put in an impressive performance scoring at least one goal every game.
Antony Surjan was involved in selecting the state team which he coaches.
“She [Olivia] stood out from day one. She performed at a high level each day,” Surjan said.
She [Olivia] stood out from day one. She performed at a high level each day.
- Coach, Antony Surjan
“There were very nice goals she scored and she has a nice, level head on her,” Surjan said.
He said Olivia’s athleticism, speed and commitment to soccer were some of her best attributes, and she would play a winger/mid-fielder position at the five-day championships.
“She could go far if she keeps it up,” Surjan said.
“She’s done a great job to get there [to the championships] and we’re hoping for a good carnival.”
The Victorians are tipped to be the team to beat, and Olivia can’t wait for her first-time visit to Western Australia.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone there and playing great football and the experience of Western Australia,” the 12-year-old said.
Olivia has been playing soccer on and off since age six.
She had taken a break to try other sports, but soon realised that soccer was the game for her.
“It’s a fun game to play and a great sport,” Olivia said.
“I would like to be a Matilda. To play for Australia.”
At the state soccer trials in Albury she was excited to meet Matildas players Kyah Simon and Emily Van Egmond.
“They inspired me to go further,” Olivia said.
She has a busy week, attending school at St Thomas Aquinas, and has soccer training most days, as well as squeezing in gymnastics and athletics.
She trains with her NSW soccer team at Newcastle and Miranda, is part of the Nepean Football Club’s Nepean Development Program training with 13-15 year-olds at Penrith, and was invited to train with the Football Development of Australia Academy at Parramatta with the under 12 boys.
Olivia said her game has picked up since training with the boys.
“I like it. It’s harder so it makes me improve. It makes me run faster and stand my ground,” she said.
Olivia also plays locally with Springwood Soccer Club and her under 12 division one team are into the grand final this weekend before she flies to Western Australia.
