Australians Breeze overseas
A group of 16-year-old girls from the 2013 High Performance Academy set off on a footy trip with a difference last week when they headed to New Zealand for the inaugural International Youth Girls Cup.
The series was played between the Australia Breeze and the New Zealand Kahus with the two sides contesting two nine-a-side games in Auckland and one in Whangarei during the trip.
There was one NSW-based representative on the trip with standout junior stars Alex Tegg making the journey overseas.
Tegg was nominated for the High Performance Academy by AFL NSW/ACT Female Football Program Manager Libby Sadler and chosen to participate in the trip as one of the top 12 girls who displayed outstanding leadership qualities.
After three seasons in the game, Southern Power player Tegg said the trip was a life-changing experience.
“I have been inspired to push footy, both in NSW, and for girls everywhere,” Tegg said.
“My favourite thing about the tour was the friendships I was able to form.
“I had only met the Australian girls once before, so spending nine days with them strengthened our friendships and I got to know all of them really well.
“I was also able to get to know the New Zealand girls, who were very friendly and great to hang out with during lunch.
“And I got to talk with the coaches on tour, and they offered me lots of great advice and tips, for both in and out of football.”
The three games were more than just a chance to ignite another Australia v New Zealand rivalry, and served to strengthen the level of football across the ditch.
“For the first game, we played for our countries,” Tegg said.
“The second game was mixed up, so there was six Australians and six New Zealanders on each side … Our last game was back with our countries.
“We did win the first ever International Youth Girls Cup, but the main aim of the tour was to help the New Zealand girls learn our wonderful game.”
Tegg won Best on Ground honours in the second game for the Australia Breeze and nominated Queensland gun Tayla Harris as one of the standouts for the Australians, while Kahus captain Claudia McMeekin was one of the best for her New Zealand side.
