Soccer star nets award

Busselton junior soccer star Siobhan Longmore has taken out the Busselton Freight Rising Sports Star Award for October, in recognition of her immense skill in the world game.

The 14-year-old Cape Naturaliste College student recently proved she could match it with the adults by being named Youth Player of the Year in the South West Ladies Premier League, where she plays for the Busselton Redbacks alongside sister Ariana.

This was followed by an international foray in the Singa Cup in Singapore as a member of the under-18 Football West State regional team.

Siobhan’s impressive 10-goal performance helped her side win the title and netted her the Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player award of the tournament.

The left winger said winning the final was “a really good feeling” and she surprised even herself with her goal-scoring prowess.

“I usually never score goals,” she said.

“That was a first. I’m a person that usually crosses the ball. (Now I’ll) definitely start shooting.”

Starting soccer at the age of six, Siobhan said she loved the sport but strangely it wasn’t always her first choice of physical activity.

“I played hockey but my mum wouldn’t let me play it anymore because I got a ball to the mouth. Mum forced me into soccer, I guess, but I started to like it,” she said.

These days Siobhan has a busy schedule, playing with the under-15s Busselton Thunder and in ladies grades for the Redbacks and South West Phoenix.

She said the best thing about soccer was making strong friendships but she also enjoyed the more competitive aspect of the sport.

“I like pushing myself. I don’t like playing against easy teams because it’s boring,” Siobhan said.

She hoped to continue playing soccer by getting a college scholarship in the US, but beyond that would “see what happens”.

As the recipient of the Rising Sports Star award and the $200 prize, Siobhan wanted to thank all of her coaches and her mother for their support.

The Rising Sports Star is proudly supported by the Busselton Dunsborough Times.

Contact editor@bdtimes.com.au for a copy of the nomination form or visit our Queen Street office.