Teenager making big impact
THE nerves should be a little more subdued for Ruby Anderson this weekend.
A national women’s league doubleheader against the formidable Canterbury United awaits today and Monday.
She admitted that was ‘‘a bit nerveracking’’.
Perhaps that is understandable.
Most of us would be pretty nervous as 16yearolds playing against the best in the country.
Very few would have been as successful as the lively Southern United striker, though.
Since debuting last year she has scored seven goals for the side.
Only Renee Bacon (11) and Shontelle Smith (9) have scored more for the team since it rebranded as Southern United in 2016, while Mikayla Gray has also scored seven.
Two of those came last week for Anderson, in a brilliant display in which she also created a goal for fellow young striker Amy Hislop.
It was a display that won her the national women’s league player of the week award.
It is also great form to be taking on to Logan Park this weekend.
‘‘Last week, I don’t know. I haven’t scored really much this season,’’ she said of her form.
‘‘But I think from last week I’m feeling a lot more confident, knowing I can do it, and the team can win these sort of games.’’
A year 12 Roncalli College pupil, Anderson is from Timaru and commutes to Dunedin to play for Southern.
It makes for plenty of travel, although she is getting used to it.
Growing up with older brother Cam, who plays for the Southern men’s youth team, there was
plenty of inhouse football competition.
She felt he had helped her get to where she was.
Last year she joined Dunedin Technical and was part of its Kate Sheppard Cupwinning side, but it was still a surprise when she first got called into the Southern team as a 15yearold.
She went on to score twice on debut.
‘‘I never thought I would play at this age.
‘‘When they asked me I thought ‘oh wow, this is exciting’.
‘‘I’m pretty nervous as a person, but I think being around this high level is making me a lot more confident and a stronger player.
‘‘I really enjoy it now and being able to play at this top level.’’
In April she attended a national under20 talent identification camp in Auckland.
That had been great and while she did not advance to the next camp, she had another World Cup cycle in that grade and making it remained a goal.
She will remain in Timaru next year to finish school and is unsure about her future beyond that, although she might come to Dunedin for university.
More big performances will be needed from Southern in Dunedin today and Christchurch on Monday.
Elsewhere in the league, Auckland and Northern played out a 00 draw on Thursday night.
A Southern announced yesterday midfielder Georgia Brown has returned to the club for the remainder of the season.