Soccer Dreams Realised

With Local Competing In International Comp

For Kiarna Paterson, her natural talent for soccer wasn’t realised until her and her family relocated to Proserpine a little over three years ago.

And now, she has been selected for the prestigious IBERCUP, after securing a place in the Football Queensland Academy and training with the Barca Academy.

“I first started playing soccer when I was in grade six, when we first moved up here,” Kiarna explained.

Having not played before, her natural ability surprised her family, who have now worked to ensure every opportunity to develop her skills.

She recently completed a week of training with the Barca Academy, a feeder academy of FC Barcelona, for elite youth athletes to hone their skills to pursue professional opportunities.

“At the academy, we did multiple drills every day, working different skills, and we toured the stadium, and we watched professional games, but there were also scouts watching us.”

From this opportunity, Kiarna was selected to represent Australia in the IBERCUP.

This worldwide competition is one of the biggest international youth soccer tournaments, and Kiarna is one of lucky few to be selected into the Australian youth team.

“It’s one of the largest tournaments,” Kahla, Kiarna’s mother, explained.

“It’s held in Spain, and all different countries come together to compete, and the players are given the professional player experience. They have strict routines, and it shows the players the reality of the profession, of what they should expect.”

Kiarna is welcoming the new experience, the chance to sink her teeth into her dream profession.

“Only a few girls were selected for the IBERCUP, and I am looking forward to growing my skills and learning from the coaches and other players,” Kiarna said.

Her dedication is present through everything she does, and her success is profound in her fantastic techniques and ever improving skills.

“However, financing the costs of training, travel, and equipment, the expenses of this once in a lifetime opportunity are substantial,” Kiarna explained.

Having opened a Go Fund Me to assist with costs of Kiarna’s IBERCUP journey, Kiarna is eager to start her professional soccer career.

For those wishing to help Kiarna’s soccer career, follow the QR code to her Go Fund Me page.

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