Courtesy: Gladstone Observer


Lamberton laps up experience of a lifetime

May 28, 2008

IN Brazil, Gladstone futsal star Sophie Lamberton was treated like a superstar and understandably, the 17 year old was reluctant to return home when she did.

Lamberton arrived home in Gladstone after spending three and a half weeks in Brazil, on tour with the Under-19 Australian Girls' Futsal team - an experience of a lifetime for the talented athlete.

"After the games, we were treated like a superstar with kids running up to us to get an autograph," she said.

"I wanted to stay for a year and play professionally for a club there."

While on tour, Lamberton said she was approached by various people suggesting she make the move to play club futsal in Brazil.

But the Gladstone State High student in her final year of school said this year is out of the question, although next year it could be an option for her.

With the Australian team scattered around the country, they had not trained together prior to their Brazil trip.

The first week of the tour was spent training twice a day under the guidance of Brazilian coaches, something that had been highly beneficial, she said.

In between training sessions, the girls played matches against various regional sides from around Brazil, winning all of their matches except for their first clash with Belo Horizonte.

"The games were tough but we were better and played a higher standard of futsal," she said.

Learning new skills and the Brazilian version of the game was the best part of the tour for the striker, who played on cement floors for the first time as well as without shinpads, she said.

Seeing a new country and culture has ignited the travel bug in Lamberton who said she was keen to see more of the world after her trip around Brazil.

Back in Gladstone, Lamberton will continue to play futsal once a week at the PCYC and will travel to Melbourne for the Australian trials later this year.

This week, she is in Mackay with the Capricornia School Girls' team contesting the state titles.





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