Samantha Emms has been selected in the U15s New South Wales Country soccer side, after being a shadow player for the last 2 years. She is pictured with Jade and Maddie who all represented Riverina last week with her.
Sam Emms attends 3, 2 hour sessions before she adds her running and her matches together in a sport she has come to love and a position she has excelled at. On Saturday she played 270 minutes across 3 matches. She was the goal keeper for 15s, 17s and first grade side for the Wagga Wanderers. Sam’s hard work has paid off. She said, “I have just put effort in over the last few years and it must be showing in my performances. We had some tough games for Riverina and I saved a dot shot.” Sam was one on one with a penalty right in front of her goal on the dot and managed to keep it out for her side. She made Prime news this week were she made a double save for the Wagga Wanderers. Sam and older sister Maddie are playing U17s whilst younger sister Jade is playing U13s, however, all 3 sisters have helped out in older age groups for their club. Sam played first grade on the weekend while Maddie played reserve grade and Jade played up in the 17s last week.
Mum Cindy said, “This is the first year that a female Riverina team has been entered in to the Canberra NPL which is an awesome pathway for any female in the Riverina who wants to play above club level.” Sam said, “I was very excited to be successful in my selection.”
All 3 sisters were able to play for Riverina last week. Being familiar with each others styles helps the girls communicate easily on the filed. The ball can go between all 3 sisters in a match, Sam at Keeper, Maddie at Centre Back and Jade up front.
Maddie said, “It’s pretty cool we use it to our advantage.” Jade may be the little sister at home but she is just another player and her older sisters have no problems passing her the ball. Jade said, “If I do something wrong they tell me in a nice way.”
The girls are a tight knit bunch and play soccer because they enjoy it and they have each other to spur each other on. The selectors and the photographers at the Country Carnival were amazed to see 3 sisters in the same side.
Sam will now go on and play at Nationals at Coffs Harbour where there will be a chance for her to be selected in the Young Matildas. She won’t be getting her hopes up but said she will be going into the tournament with her head up and with plenty of positivity. She said. “I’ll be looking to give my best performance.”
