New Zealand College Girls Football Team - USA tour.

As a solo dad I made sure that as soon as she was able my daughter took up a team sport. This was not only for the team bonding/group relationship factors it would help develop, but also as part of the wise adage about kids ''Keep them in to sport - and out of court''.

Natalie followed some friends into Football (soccer) and after scoring a goal in her second game was hooked. She quickly developed her skills, and was advised to play in a boys team if she was serious about her football development - she was, and she did. At the age of 10 we had found a few other girls in the region were at a similar level, so I managed to get them together and form a special team with additional training. That team went undefeated for 2 seasons.

Natalie then became a Capital football age group rep, and has remained so for the past 5 years.

She has been part of the wider NZ girls age group development squads and last year as a 15 year old made her debut for Wellington united senior womens premiership team - and scored 5 goals.

This year playing for her college, she won the Golden boot for the Wellington region, and then also won that award at the NZ College nationals. All this has culminated in her being selected in the NZ College Secondary girls school team to play in Dallas Texas next April.

Great news for her - however the downside is the trip needs to be self funded!