The only time 14-year-old Lucinda Bowen has flown overseas was for an Australian family holiday in Bali.
“I went when I was in prep, now I’m in year eight, so, it’s been a while,” said Lucinda, who is about to head for new horizons. At 6pm tonight she will fly solo to the Middle East.
“I’m pretty excited, but also nervous because I’m going to be away from my family and [not] talking to them about how I feel.”
While the Tylden local may not yet know the world, she certainly understands its beloved game. She has been chosen to represent the U15s Australian Women’s Futsal Team to compete in two international tournaments. After a brief layover in Dubai with another girl from Victoria – who she’s met once at a national tournament in Sydney – the pair will fly onto the United Kingdom. Here, she will meet the rest of the squad for a training camp, before embarking on a tour of Great Britain to compete in the Roy Miller Cup and The Scossie Cup.
“It’s pretty cool,” said Lucinda. “I feel pretty lucky.”
But her dad Jacent Bowen said luck had nothing to do with it.
“Every night I walk through the door at 4pm. We jump in the car at 4.30pm, and then we’re home at 9.30 to 10 o’clock,” he said.
On Monday, Lucinda trains in Truganina and Preston. On Tuesday she does game analysis and a gym session in Preston again. On Wednesday she completes athletics training. Thursday involves more training in Preston. And Friday, is “fun” – she plays futsal locally in the region, before the weekend is filled with multiple club competition matches.
“So, I have a pretty intense training schedule,” admitted Lucinda. “I do homework in the car and eat dinner in the car.”
And with this sacrifice, confidence rises in the young striker. Contemplating the journey she is about to embark on, she said “Futsal is my fun sport, but soccer is my main sport”.
“Jeez, I wish I could have a hobby like that,” her dad responds.
And she will be donning green and gold to represent the nation for that same hobby.
