The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website | home
2006 | 2010
2006
Late Starter Sarah Gets The Perfect Birthday Present
by Jeremy Ruane
August 6 will always be a momentous day in the life of Sarah Gregorius. But this year, her nineteenth birthday is going to be one far different to any other.
It's the day the New Zealand Under-20 squad flies out to Holland en route to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Finals, and the speedy striker will be among the twenty-one players boarding the plane.
“What a birthday present!” she exclaims with undisguised delight. “Here's a free trip, and go and play a bit of soccer while you're at it!!
“Seriously, like the rest of the squad, I'm very much looking forward to the challenge of it all - it's very much a case of entering the unknown. Everything about it is so unbelievable and unique. It's a very special time for us, that's for sure”.
And one that was way beyond Sarah's wildest dreams when the then twelve-year-old got dragged along to a game one day by her friend, Yahna Gray, in 2000. “I joined Upper Hutt City, which is a good, tight-knit club.
“They've been very good to me over the years, a real family club where I've always felt welcome, with good coaches and the support of other parents, as well as my own, Balt and Joelle, the biggest influences on my career.
“I started playing in central midfield, but when I got the ball I'd simply run away with it - I`d no idea what I was doing, so I just kept on going!! Hence they quickly moved me up front, and I've been doing my best to score goals ever since!”
Sarah stayed at Upper Hutt for five seasons, the last of which saw her playing for Capital Soccer in the National Women's League. While she missed out on the competition's Player of the Year award, the outcome of the Grand Final more than made up for that! “Winning the 2004 National Women's League was marvellous - a very very good feeling!”
In 2005, our intrepid young goal-getter found herself westward-bound. “Aroon Clansey got an opportunity to play for Manly United in Sydney, and asked Maggie
|
 Sarah Gregorius' Favourites
 |
Lankshear and me if we wanted to come as well. Let's just say we weren't exactly dragged along kicking and screaming in protest …!!
“It was good fun there. We had an amazing season, and no-one expected us to make the Super League Grand Final, where we lost to Rebecca O'Neill's team, Marconi. That's one of the highlights of my career so far, while this whole year itself has a big highlight full stop!
“Qualifying in Samoa was awesome, while the tour to Argentina was incredible - we surprised a lot of people with how well we did, including ourselves”.
It was certainly a good tour for Sarah personally, as she scored in three of the four games played to cement her position in the squad bound for Russia. When she returns, this Thierry Henry admirer hopes to have the chance to play in her first SWANZ Knockout Cup Final for the current holders, Lynn-Avon United.
“I moved to Auckland this season for the U-20s campaign, and I`m certainly kept busy with my job at Fitness World, where I sell gym equipment and supplements. Just don't get me started on the traffic!!!
“I'm enjoying being up here, though, and I hope to continue enjoying myself throughout my football career - I'm having so much fun at present! In terms of my playing future, I definitely wouldn't say no to playing for the national team, of course, and I intend to go on for as long as my legs will allow me”.
At the rate Sarah zips round the park, that should be for some considerable time yet. As to a career outside soccer … “I've an open mind re my future. A lot of things take my fancy but it's finding the one thing I really want to do. It's the same with my studies - I need to narrow down my targets before following a career path”.
Right now, however, Sarah Gregorius has a birthday with a difference to look forward, and the best belated present possible - the chance to don the white shirt of her country at the U-20 Women's World Cup Finals in Russia. And you can guarantee she'll have plenty of fun along the way!
|