IT took nearly 12 months, but Moorland's Val Bungie-Beard saved $640 to pay her registration to play in the Football Mid North Coast under 16 team to play in the Women's Premier League in 2016.
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Val, a centre back, was a member of the under 16 side that made the semi-finals last year.
The premier league takes in sides from the Newcastle/Hunter areas along with FMNC.
Val's grandmother, Ann Battishall, paid her registration for 2015. Ann said it was a tough.
"It nearly broke me,'' she admits.
"I had to borrow money to pay the fees. I told Val that she wouldn't be playing premier league again - I just couldn't afford it.''
Val played for Moorland in the southern FMNC competition along with premier league last year.
"I told her she could play one or the other - as long as the one was with Moorland,'' Ann said.
However, Val had an idea.
"She asked me if she raised the money would she be able to play in the premier league. I told her that would be fine,'' Ann said.
And so Val's journey started.
She began by doing odd jobs and gradually chipped away at the figure.
"I picked oranges, washed dishes for a few businesses and at the Yarrahapinni Youth Centre, baby sat, did whatever I could to raise the money,'' Val said.
She then took on another task - getting the money to take her place in the Manning side for last week's national futsal championships played in Penrith.
That was another $350. Again, she achieved her goal.
Val had the option of paying off the premier league registration. However, an incentive was to get the money paid by early November and so get a deduction. She chose that path.
With the money now paid Val is looking forward to the start of the new season. Training will begin later this month.
"We'll then have a couple of warm up matches before the competition starts in March,'' Val explained.
FMNC made the semi-finals last season and Val is confident they have the roster to go even better this year.
She started playing soccer as a six-year-old with Moorland. Val said the skills involved with the round ball game make it enjoyable along with the friends she's made.
However Ann believes the last 12 months have taught Val an invaluable life skill.
"She's determined,'' Val said.
"And she's done it all on her own. I'm proud of her.''