DENMAN youngster Isabella Wallace is hoping to kick a few major goals in Spain next month.
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The St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen student, who was born in Scone, has been selected to represent the Australian under-13 futsal team in Barcelona in November.
And, the talented player is still pinching herself.
“My first reaction to being picked was this must be a joke,” Wallace said.
“I didn’t believe it until I had read the email, which by that time I was almost in tears.
“Honestly, it’s a massive honour to be picked out of all the state teams to represent Australia in another country.”
To say Wallace’s rise to the top has been meteoric is definitely an understatement.
“I’m sure not too many people know what futsal is,” she said.
“I didn’t either until about a year ago, when I started playing for the school.
“The easiest way to explain it is that it’s like indoor soccer but with less people and a smaller court.”
After taking to the “field” with the school’s open girls’ side, Wallace was named in the Northern NSW outfit for the National Futsal Championships.
The team went through the tournament undefeated, winning the under-13 title along the way.
“Soon after returning home, I received the email to tell me I had a spot in the Australian squad,” Wallace said.
“Just the experience to be given this privilege, to compete against another country while also representing my own, is amazing.
“I’d like to give a massive thanks to my family.
“Their continued support has been phenomenal throughout my sporting journey – all their hard work is greatly appreciated.
“Also, to the Aberdeen Old Boys who have been wonderful.
“My gratitude goes to all the Denman retailers as well and to everyone who bought raffle tickets.
“If I didn’t have the support from these people, I wouldn’t have this incredible opportunity to represent Australia.”
St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen boasts an impressive strike rate in the national futsal arena with Wallace following in the footsteps of Beth Lloyd, Amy Parkinson, Finn McLoughlin, Ali Field, Danielle Nicol, Mikaela Tilse and Sophie Morgan in recent times.