Courtesy: North West Star


Isa girl in Oz squad

by MATT NICHOLLS

22/10/2008

KARMARA O’Sullivan is making big waves in soccer, but not the kind you might see in the A-League or in Europe.

The former Mount Isa girl has been selected to represent Australia for a national Futsal tour to Brazil next year.

Futsal, or indoor soccer, is a big hit in South America, and is now a major sport on the international circuit.

O’Sullivan was picked in the Australian Vikings Futsal Youth Squad, and will tour Brazil in April and May next year.

The 15-year-old was born in Mount Isa, but moved to Borroloola in the Northern Territory with her parents when she was three, before moving back to the Isa five years later.

Before she moved to Townsville, O’Sullivan was a keen soccer player with Concordia in Mount Isa, and represented the town in an under 11 tournament in Townsville, and her school side in an under 12 competition at Stanthorpe.

Possessing obvious talent, the junior star was encouraged to move to the coast, where she could compete against a broader range of opposition, and learn how good she really was.

So at the start of 2006 she moved with the family to Townsville, where she enrolled in the William Ross High School and joined the school team, the Rhinos which competes in a Townsville school competition.

Two years later, O’Sullivan has a swag of titles next to her name.

She has represented her school in both indoor and outdoor soccer, played for North Queensland in futsal in Melbourne and Rockhampton and played for Townsville’s Centre of Excellence under 15 team.

But her highest honour is being selected to represent Australia next year.

O’Sullivan said she cannot wait.

“I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a really good opportunity,” she said.

Whilst she is having a tough time combining training and playing with her Year 10 school studies, O’Sullivan is remaining just as focussed on her work in the classroom as her soccer skills.

“It’s pretty hard to juggle school with everything else, but I’m managing,” she said.

While her trip to South America is constantly in the back of her mind, O’Sullivan still has plenty to do in the meantime.

Between playing both indoor and outdoor soccer, training and school, there isn’t much spare time for the teenager.

But with a focussed mind and an eager attitude, the former Mount Isa girl is sure to do well.






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