Sarah saves best until last to earn USA trip
FUTSAL: A bold showing by her Queensland West under 19 team at this year’s National Schools Futsal Championships was only the start of the good tournament news for Toowoomba’s Sarah Bradbury.
Queensland West finished the highest placed of the three sunshine state teams at the titles, before being knocked out at the semi-final stage.
But while a championship win eluded the Queenslanders, Bradbury’s display in goals earned her top title honours.
The 17-years-old Year 12 St Ursula’s College student was judged as best goal-keeper of the tournament by rival coaches while she was also named in the under-19 girls’ Allstar team.
Her achievements will now see her tour America next year as part of the Australian under 17-19 years’ team to compete at the USA Nationals.
Bradbury’s love affair with futsal began five years ago and has flourished with the growth of the indoor football code throughout the country.
She kicked off with her school team in Grade 8 as a field player and after opting out of hockey to concentrate fulltime on futsal she has made the successful switch to keeper.
Bradbury’s USA selection hands her a second chance to tour after she had to decline the opportunity to visit Brazil with the Australian under-14 team in 2015.
“Going on this tour to California gives us the chance to experience some high-level competition,” Bradbury said.
“The Americans are known for their football. They are extremely skilled in futsal and I can’t wait for the chance to compete against them.”
South West futsal co-ordinator Lue Petersen said Bradbury’s leadership abilities are inspirational.
“Over the years Sarah has cemented herself in a team leadership role,” Petersen said.