Emily Roach showed her talent when she played in the Sunshine Coast 12 Year Girls’ Football team at the Queensland Primary Schools’ Championships at Mount Isa last week. Emily was one of 167 other girls who were trying to impress the selectors and win their team the title of State Champions.

Although Emily only turned eleven this year, she was one of the outstanding players in her team. Playing in the midfield, Emily was always composed on the ball, tackled hard and put beautiful balls through to the strikers. Emily also took all the corner kicks from which many goals were scored.

In the second last game in the carnival with at least a draw needed to keep the teams winning hopes alive, Sunshine Coast were trailing 1 – 0 with only one minute to play. A free kick was given and Emily stepped up to take it. From at least 20m out from goal, she lined up the ball and sent it like a rocket into the top right hand corner to score the equaliser! Cheers erupted from the team, parents and coaches (especially Mrs Stott) as the team remained a threat in the competition. Unfortunately a loss in the last game meant the team dropped to fifth place which was still a great result in a very close competition where any one of five teams could have won with one game remaining.

Emily was awarded the Coach’s Player award for her game play and her attitude and diligence in both training and game situations. Emily is looking forward to playing in this team again next year and enjoyed getting to know teammates from all over the Sunshine Coast.

Wendy Stott