By: Tyler Dudek

Michaela Togias, a 10-year-old soccer player, will go travel to

Manchester in January to take part in a tournament. She will

play against some of the biggest clubs, putting her hard work and

dedication to the sport on display.

“There were 60 girls at the showcase and I was a little nervous

because I was the youngest and smallest there, but I just gave it

my all and had fun,” Michaela said.

“At the end of the showcase the scouts asked to speak to my

mum and told her that I have what it takes to play in the United

Kingdom.”

“Hearing that from them put a big smile on my face,” she said.

“To think that in a few months’ time I’ll be playing in the UK is

like a dream come true,” Michaela said. “I hope to one day

make my country proud, just like Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter.

I have great coaches who push me to play at my best, I train

hard every day and put my all into every training session and

game.”

Manchester United and Manchester City scouts watched her

play at the Global Football Network showcase in Sydney in

April, where she scored the winning goal. The showcase

included seven hours of training and lasted two and a half days.

She was so happy to have the support of her family, uncles,

aunts, cousins, friends, showcase organizers Global Football

Network, her coaches at Macarthur Rams, Futboltec and her

sprint coach, Australian Olympian Hayley Butler.

Her team, family, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and Michaela

were extremely happy that her and her team won.