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2006
2006
Back To The Schoolbooks For Russian Star Abby
by Jeremy Ruane
It hasn't taken long for New Zealand Under-20 women's soccer star Abby Erceg to come down to earth after the greatest experience of her life so far.
It's been back to the schoolbooks with a vengeance for the sixteen-year-old since she and her team-mates returned from Russia on the last Saturday in August, eyes bleary and gear bags bulging following a tiring trip, but each with a host of memories to look back on and tales to tell.
In Abby's case, those memories have been significantly enhanced by a couple of to-die-for achievements which sit proudly at the top of her footballing CV.
“Scoring the first goal against European champions Russia - our first goal in the World Cup Finals - was such an incredible feeling”, beamed the Northland native as she relaxed at home a month after the conclusion of Project Russia.
“But to supplement that by being named Player of the Match in our 0-0 draw against Brazil, the team which eventually finished third in the tournament … without question, those will always be two of my greatest-ever accolades, no matter what else I achieve in the game”.
The Whangarei-born defender with speed to burn has had a tremendous year - her best yet - in a sport which first captured her imagination in 1995.
“I was five years old when I first tried soccer. I liked it straight away, and found I was good at it. With plenty of encouragement and support then, and ever since, from Mum (Linda) and Dad (Paul), I joined FC Rovers, and one of the best memories of my time with them was scoring the penalty which won us the league one year”.
Abby left FC Rovers at the end of 2002, when the Erceg family upped sticks and moved to Auckland. “The following year, I started my secondary school years at Mt. Roskill Grammar School, and, literally over the road, teamed up with Three Kings United's Premier Women's League team at Keith Hay Park”.
It was a very young and inexperienced Three Kings team which represented the club in the top flight for the first time in three years in 2003. Three years on, and the cream of that crop of youngsters are savouring their first honour, United having won the Northern Premier Women's League for the first time in seven years.
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“That's another special achievement in my career”, declares the classy sixteen-year-old, who openly acknowledges the influence of senior team-mates Jenny Bindon, Sarah Gibbs, Maia Jackman, Rebecca Sowden and Zoe Thompson in helping her burgeoning career take off to the extent it has in 2006.
“Our Under-20s coach, John Herdman, has been a tremendous source of help, advice and encouragement as well, while guiding us through what has been a very special year in the career of every squad member.
“I can't really put into words what the whole adventure which was Russia was like. The games, the opposition, the hotels, police escorts everywhere … the whole thing went by so fast, and I was just enjoying myself so much. You really had to be there to experience it, which is something I intend to do again in the near future”.
Chile is the venue for the U-20 Women's World Cup Finals in 2008, and Abby is one of a number of the current New Zealand squad who will be eligible to sport the silver fern in the pursuit of that FIFA championship as well.
It's not the only ambition the New Zealand Secondary Schoolgirls international has set herself, mind. “I hope to make the senior women's squad soon, and go to the Olympics in 2008 - that would be awesome.
“My top priority, however, is gaining a scholarship”, declares the level-headed sixth form student, who has just one regret about what has been an amazing year in her life.
“Being away so much this year - to Australia, Samoa, Argentina, Holland and Russia, I've missed out on a great deal in terms of my studies, and with my exams coming up soon, I'm definitely focusing on my education at present”.
“Reading, Riting and `Rithmetic” may well be occupying her mind right now, but the life education which this talented teenager has experienced over the course of the past twelve months is one few of us are ever likely to savour.
Even fewer will get to experience the thrill of scoring for New Zealand on the ultimate stage, a World Cup Finals. And for someone who has netted just seven goals in her senior career, you can guarantee Abby Erceg's latest effort is one she will relish long after her schooldays are over.
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