Sport
9 August, 2023
Lowood teen represents Australia Green in US futsal tour
Lowood State High School year 12 student Jade Godby had the thrill of representing her country at last month’s US Futsal National Championship in Las Vegas.
Jade played in the 16-17 years Australia Green team while this age group also had an Australia Gold team, with Jade selected from last year’s Queensland City U16 team in the National School Futsal Championship in Brisbane.
Jade began playing futsal nearly three years ago, and has featured in numerous school-based tournaments, with last year’s national championship being the highest level she had played until she toured the United States last month.
The American tour was the first time the Lowood teen had been overseas, and she required a passport for the occasion.
“I went into the tour only knowing two girls from my Queensland City team, but (I) had seen a few girls around playing and was aware of their skills,” Jade said.
“Flying to the US, I hadn’t known many people but by the time we had come back, I knew all the coaches and players.
“I have made many valued friendships who I can’t wait to see play again, either with or against.”
Jade had the misfortune of contracting food poisoning just before the competition began, but she recovered sufficiently to play.
Jade’s main role was as the target – similar to a striker position in soccer – although she sometimes rotated positions.
Australia Green went down 6-2 to Chicago Street Soccer Girls 08 before Elite Feet defeated the Green team 5-0.
Green beat Gold 3-1 in the Australian derby, before Green’s final match yielded a 10-0 loss to the Rose City Scorpions.
Rose City was unbeaten after its four round-robin games, before losing 3-2 to the second-placed Elite Feet in the decider.
Australia Green’s results didn’t reflect the efforts from the players, with Jade saying, “I believe our team did exceptionally well, considering most of us had just met and weren’t letting them beat us easily.
“Highlights of the tour would have to be our defence against the teams and watching it work as we all put in our all and the friendly games we played.
“We mixed all the Australian teams and coaches into different teams and played fun games against each other.
“Another highlight would have to be seeing the Matildas at the airport and meeting Alex Chidiac.”
Jade said the overall experience “was an amazing experience that I will definitely take with me for the rest of my life, from the valuable information we were taught, to the friendships and life skills”.
The Lowood teen said she would love to go overseas again for sport, but that this was unlikely in the foreseeable future as she prepared to go to university.
Jade said she aimed to become involved in university sport, but wasn’t sure yet what opportunities could arise.
