Michelle in action at the National Titles
Year 8 Suncoast Christian College student, Michelle Le Roux, has done the Sunshine Coast proud after her outstanding performance at the recent U13 National Football titles in Canberra.
Michelle represented Queensland and her team finished second before Michelle received the extra honour of being one of three Queenslanders, and the only Sunshine Coast player, to be selected in the National All Stars Team. “I wasn’t ready for that selection” says Michelle, “I didn’t expect it at all and when they called my name I thought, ‘Oh my goodness!’”
The All Stars Team consists of 20 players selected from across Australia as being the best in their age group. Considering what a competitive sport this is and the hundreds of players at the National Titles alone, Michelle’s achievement is testament to the midfielder’s hard work and obvious talent.
At the Championships the U13 girls were surrounded by their heroes in the game with Matildas players warming them down after matches and the women’s Brisbane Roar coach, Jeff Hopkins, travelling with them and watching every game and encouraging the girls. The Matildas coach, Tom Sermanni, was also there and with the Matildas players and other officials they selected the All Stars Team.
Michelle has been playing since she was 5 years old and spent her primary school years playing football at lunchtime with the boys before asking her mum if she could join a team. Now Michelle is a member of the Sunshine Coast U14 Junior Premier League Team and last year was a member of the Suncoast Christian College Soccer Academy. “I really liked the academy,” says Michelle, “It was skills based and we learnt tricks.”
In order to get to the Championships, Michelle had to raise the funds, relying on her College and wider community to assist. Michelle’s mum Kay was particularly grateful for the community’s support saying, “I would like to thank Suncoast Christian College and the wider Sunshine Coast community for their generous support. The expenses involved were in excess of $2,000 and we were able to raise every cent of this.”
Michelle, who looks to Matildas stars Tameka Butt and Clare Polkinghorne for inspiration, is looking to secure a scholarship in America in a few years’ time, and judging by her achievements so far, it seems entirely achievable.
(Picture – Michelle in action at the National Titles)
