Rachel shoots for stardom

Young footballer Rachel Collins is hoping to go to the Valencia Football Academy. Photo/Andrew Warner

Omokoroa's Rachel Collins (13) is well aware there are career opportunities in women's football.

She also knows that if she wants to take them she will have to leave New Zealand.

Whether a training trip to one of Spain's biggest football clubs next year will be the first step on that journey is yet to be seen.

Rachel has been selected to be part of a group of teenagers who will travel to Valencia Club de Futbal's Foundation Academy to train under the club's coaches for two weeks starting late March next year.

She was spotted by Soccer Plus NZ director Kim Beale while playing in a mixed intermediate age tournament at a week-long sports camp at Totara Springs near Matamata.

"She was the dominant player in the team and the best (female) player there," says Kim.

"I only gave two invitations while I was there and the only other one was to a boy."

He was impressed with her performance on and off the field. "She has a lot of speed and a
lot of athleticism, and she can strike the ball. Her tight skills are not quite as good, but they can be worked on and developed.

Part of what I was looking for is talent, but I'm also looking at personality. She isn't shy, you can talk to her and she is confident but not cocky."

Rachel has been with Omokoroa Football Club for four years and is one of two girls in the 12/13 Grade Omokoroa Thunder. She also plays hockey, water polo and rippa rugby, was a member of Omokoroa No 1 School's six-a-side hockey team at the recent NZCT AIMS Games, and competes in athletics events. "But football is my favourite," she says. She plays either on the right wing or as a striker.

Rachel was a bit taken a back to be asked about going to Valencia. "When I found out I thought it was really cool and I didn't really believe it at first - until I got all the papers."

Rachel's mum Georgina says she thinks Rachel deserves her opportunity. "She always strives for her best, in every area of her life, has an amazing spirit and also has tremendous ability.

She's always been motivated and driven in whatever she has tried to achieve."

Rachel has a give a little page and needs to raise $7500 to make the trip to Valencia.

Valencia CF has a female academy and a women's team. "There will be good contacts for her and if she sticks with football, she could go all the way," says Kim