Courtesy: Liverpool Leader


JSS: Goalie Melissa Mangion a tough competitior

11 Mar 12

by Louise Goodwin

IN A fast-moving game of soccer or futsal, the ball stops with Melissa Mangion.

The goalie, who has been nominated for the Junior Sports Star Awards, has shown talent in front of the net and demanded the attention of selectors.

NOMINATE: Click here to nominate a sports person aged 10 to 16 for the Junior Sports Star Awards.

In September last year, the 15-year-old played district-level soccer for the metro south team at the NSW State Titles.

In November she was selected to play for the under-16 Parramatta Ladyhawks in this year’s NSW Super League season.

The club sends her to the International Goalkeepers Academy at Rooty Hill for specialised training.

Melissa said her skills had improved since starting at the academy with former Socceroo Jim Fraser.

“I’ve learnt different techniques to save the ball and how to take good goal-kicks,” Melissa said.

“I’m excited to play at the higher level, but I expect it to be hard with all the good teams in the competition.”

“We have a good team so I think we should go pretty well.’‘

The Horningsea Park resident’s soccer skills have also been useful on the futsal court.

Melissa played for NSW at the National Futsal Tournament in January and recently heard about her selection for the Australia futsal team her under-16 national squad will tour the UK in October.

The John Edmondson High School student’s ntsG said hernte goal is ntsG wasnte to play Premier League soccer.

“Although I love playing futsal, there are more avenues and opportunities in soccer,’’ she said.

“I like playing in goals because you have to be fearless and confident I like to stop the other team from scoring.’‘

To sponsor Melissa’s international tour, contact father Anthony on anthonyjmangion@hotmail.com or 0418 264 007.



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