Tessa's Football Dream

Hello, my name is Tessa Nicol, and only a few weeks ago I was presented with the opportunity of a lifetime to help pursue my goal to becoming a professional footballer.

Recently I was fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to trial for the Under 20 New Zealand team in July. I was surrounded by fantastic coaches that trained me at an intensity that I'm just not getting down in Dunedin. Not long after my trial I received a phone call and was offered an opportunity that I could only dream of - to train full time with the Football Ferns Wider Squad in Auckland. This means that I have full access to the New Zealand High Performance Centre and be a part of their athlete plan, access to the best coaches in New Zealand and the potential to one day play for my country in not only the Under 20 World Cup next November, 2016, but for the Football Ferns.

I’ve been playing football for the past 13 years, and listed below are my proudest accomplishments so far:

• I have represented Otago Women’s Football from 2007-2012

• I was a recipient of a Sporting Blue at Taieri College from 2009-2013

• Played in the National Women’s League Competition for Football South from 2011 until present

• I have obtained Young Player of the Year Award for Football South in 2012

• From 2011-2012 I was part of the New Zealand U17 wider squad right up until World Cup selection

• I was a member of the New Zealand High Performance Centre while training with the U17 New Zealand team

• I trialled for the U20 New Zealand team in May 2013

• I was chosen to represent the New Zealand Secondary School’s Team in 2013 over in Sydney

In my last prize giving at school, I was lucky enough to obtain the McDonald Trophy for Service and Sportsmanship, Centennial Cup for the most Outstanding Sporting Performance by a Team or Individual and the “Achieving is Believing” Trophy donated by Adam Hall.

• I received Sports Woman of the Year for Taieri College in 2013

• I previously played for Dunedin Technical Club, and currently play for Otago University, both of which were at Women’s Premiere Level

• I received Player Of The Year for University in 2014

• I was awarded Sports Woman of the Year in 2014 for Football South

• In July 2015 I trialled for the New Zealand U20s team in Auckland

There is no funding provided to assist me with my move to Auckland, so therefore with this opportunity comes a number of financial hurdles that I have to overcome in order to get there in a limited amount of time. I MUST be up in Auckland by the beginning of September to fully utilize the facilities and training that New Zealand Football are willing to give me. I am fortunate enough to have a very supportive and loving family who are doing their absolute best to help me financially, however the cost is too great for them alone. This is where I need the help from the rest of my family, friends and community to financially assist me. As I will be training full time, I won't be able to work a 40 hour week and play my football to the standard that I need to be at and at this time I am also unsure of my training schedule.

I have calculated my costs to be around $8000 from now till the end of the year. This cost includes my board, petrol, living costs, and flights home, as well as any football gear and fees that may arise.

There is so much to organize in such little time, and with even just a little bit of help, it will make my transition from small town girl to big city footballer just that much easier - every cent counts!

Thank you so much for all your support, I hope I can make you all proud!