By LIAM TWOMEY
WHEN it comes to soccer, Aliesha Newman is a natural.
The Hoppers Crossing resident began playing at lunch time when she was at primary school and after running rings around her classmates, was encouraged to trial for an Under 12 state team.
With minimal background in the sport, Newman went along with low expectations but surprised herself and selectors when she made it to the final cut.
Competing against girls who had been playing the game for years, the now 17-year-old missed selection but has barely missed anything on the pitch since.
“I was really surprised with how I went,” Newman said.
“I thought I was going to get cut straight away because I really had no clue. I ended up going to about four or five trials and got to the last one.
“It started getting pretty technical by the last session and I had no idea what they were talking about but they just told me to continue playing.”
Newman joined Hoppers Crossing for her first official club season and wasted no time getting into the thick of the action, taking out the best and fairest award.
That was just the start of countless club and league level awards she has won, as well as amassing multiple appearances for Victorian state teams.
However, the rising star’s greatest achievement came only recently when Newman was selected to play for an Australian junior side as part of a tour to Fiji.
The Maribyrnong College student said it is a great thrill to be selected and can’t wait to pull on the green and gold.
“My coach at the moment, he nominated me to the coach that is from New South Wales and it went from there,” Newman said.
“I think he just told him my strengths and we had a chat about the team. We will be playing the New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa Island while I’m over there.
“My goals are really just to have fun and enjoy the experience. I’ve never been overseas before so to go over there and play soccer is crazy. I can’t wait.”
There appears to be no slowing down for Newman, who has already set herself a goal of playing in the national women’s competition as well as pushing for more Australian representation in the future.
“I’m hoping to play W-League and then from there go as far as I can get,” she said.
“This season my coach actually wanted me to trial for Victory but I didn’t think that my touch and ball work was up to their standard yet.
“They want me to trial next year so I’ll do that and see how I go.”
