World Cup provides inspiration for rising soccer star
Schools
Attending some of the World Cup women’s soccer games in France provided plenty of inspiration and motivation for 14-year-old Hayley Needs when she represented South Australia at the national youth championships in July.
The Mercedes College Year 9 student competed in the State FFSA Under 15 team at the Coffs Harbour tournament, scoring the winning goal in her side’s 2-1 win over Football West. SA played four games, winning one, drawing one and losing two.
Having recently returned from a family holiday in France where she attended eight World Cup matches, including two Matildas games, Hayley said her aspirations to represent her country one day were stronger than ever.
The Beaumont teenager trains five times a week and said Mercedes College was always supportive in providing her the flexibility to travel for competitions.
Hayley started playing soccer in Year 4 with the Linden Park Primary School boys’ team, as there was no girls’ team at the time. At one stage was the only girl amongst 500 boys in a summer seven-a-side competition. She has since played for the Campbelltown and Cumberland United senior women’s teams.
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