Courtesy: Geelong Advertiser


Bell Park futsal star Jessica Kenyon rises fast

by Joel Cresswell

October 2nd, 2009

A BUDDING Bell Park soccer star is aiming for the Matildas after being selected for the Victorian state team at the National Futsal Championships.

Eleven-year-old Jessica Kenyon, from Clifton Springs, is the first female Bell Park player to be selected for Victoria.

She will travel with her parents, Chris and Lisa, to Canberra for the championships in January.

Jessica, who plays in the midfield or as a striker, has played soccer for two years and plays regularly with boys teams at Bell Park and trains with the region's under-12s team.

She was the only girl selected for last year's GRFA under-11s squad, with coaches tipping her for potential success on a far greater stage.

"I'm very happy and excited to be picked," said Jessica.

"I want to play with the Matildas one day."

Father, Chris, said she followed her brother into the sport and was immediately noticed.

"She plays just like the boys, she's always pushing and shoving them around," Chris said.

"You don't see that often in a girl and she's even been told to be less aggressive on the pitch.

"Jessica likes futsal more than the regular game as she gets more touches of the ball and the game is quicker.

"Some of the boys don't want to pass to her, but she still does well.

"I was talking to the Under-11s coach of the state team and he said she was in the top three in her age group in terms of technical ability.

"We'll happily support her and see how far she goes with it."

Bell Park is considering a fundraising event to help financially support the Kenyon family as it looks to further Jessica's progress.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com