SHE may just be 15 years of age but Vincentia High School’s Bronte Wright already has the world at her feet.
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After strong performances for NSW Country at the past two Football Federation Australia Nationals Identification Tournament in Coffs Harbour, Wright has been selected in the under 17s Football NSW team, which is headed to the United States next week.
“Following the tournament in Coffs Harbour, they invited 38 girls to trial for the NSW squad,” Wright said.
“From that, they eventually reduced it to a 16-player squad and thankfully I was included in it – I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
“It was even more special when three girls from my NSW Country side also made it.”
While in California, Wright and her 15 team mates will compete at the San Diego Surf College Cup Showcase, as well as playing two matches in Los Angeles.
“I’m expecting the play to be quite different over in the US, as they have a different style to us – so it will be an exciting challenge to try and adjust to that,” she said.
“In saying that, I know it’s going to be a great experience and help take my game to the next level.”
Wright, a Huskisson-Vincenita product who now plays for Southern Branch, has been selected in the squad as a midfielder.
“I hope to bring some physicality to the midfield, as I learnt to play that way against the boys as a junior,” she said.
“Also, I’m quite attacking and like to play balls through to our strikers. My vision is one of my best attributes.”
To prepare themselves for what Wright labelled as her ‘greatest opportunity to date’, the team has been training every Monday and Saturday nights in Sydney.
“This tournament also acts as a scouting opportunity for US colleges, with representatives from more than 500 schools expected to watch us play in San Diego,” she said.
“Although I’m one of the younger girls in the squad, it’s a great opportunity for me to get noticed and maybe get offered a scholarship down the line – it would be amazing to be able to play football overseas one day.”
As well as playing college football in the US, Wright also has her eyes set on higher honours within Australia.
“We had the opportunity to watch the Matildas play live and it was incredible – it was really inspiring to see how hard they work,” she said.
“I’d love to be able to play professionally and for my country later in my career and follow in the footsteps of my idol Sam Kerr.”
The three-day Surf College Cup Showcase, now in its 24th year, had 390 teams from seven different countries compete at last year’s event.
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