A 16 DAY trip to San Francisco with the Australian under 13 girl's futsal squad will cap what has been a busy and successful year playing football both indoor and outdoor for Rubi Grass of Taree.
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The Australians will play in the Pacific Cup, although Rubi isn't sure what teams they'll be taking on. It'll only be the second time Rubi's been in a plane and it will be her first trip overseas.
Rubi is also the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
She was named in the Australian team following the national championships held in sweltering conditions in Sydney earlier in the year. She was a member of the Far Northern NSW team.
However, that was just the start of her journey. Rubi gained selection in the Football Mid North Coast Southern team that contested the State Youth League (SYL) under 12 competition. Rubi was the only girl in the side and she was also playing up an age division. Playing in her preferred position of left back Rubi thought she played 'alright' during the season where FMNC performed credibly to finish fifth against sides from throughout the Newcastle-Hunter areas and the Mid North Coast. She said she wasn't fazed at being the only girl in the side or against playing against boys, believing it provided a greater challenge.
She was also a member of the Northern NSW Select team that played in the national championships for girls held at Coffs Harbour, also as a left back. From five games Northern NSW won three. Rubi will be available for selection in the same age division next season.
For the second successive year Rubi was named in the Hunter side for the State PSSA championships. And her year's not finished yet as she represents Football Mid North Coast under 12 girls in the State titles in Coffs Harbour next month,
Rubi started playing football with Tinonee about three years ago. Initially a netballer, Rubi switched to football when a number of her friends decided to try the sport. Netball's now on the back burner, with the majority of Rubi's spare time taken up with football or futsal, either playing or training. At the peak of the season Rubi was training three or four times a week as well as playing on weekends.