Bend it like Tash

AN AMBITIOUS Jan Juc soccer player is proving herself as a force to be reckoned with across some of Australia’s most prestigious football fields.

Natasha Dean, better known to her family and friends as ‘Tash’, recently competed in the Football Federation Australia (FFA) National Soccer tournament held in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.

Playing as part of the Victorian U14 team and scoring fourth place overall, the team beat New South Wales Metro on day one of the contest before defeating South Australia on day two.

On day three, the Victorian squad went on to play Queensland but were conquered 0-3.

A loss to the Newcastle Jets on day four was difficult to come back from, but the state team finished on a high, taking out New South Wales Country on the final day of play.

Tash started out as a striker with Surf Coast Football Club at age nine, representing the team for three seasons. In 2018, she was recruited for the Geelong Galaxy United U14 team following a successful trial.

Despite being injured early into her inaugural season, Tash cemented herself as the side’s right centre back and received the coaches pick award.

The aspiring Matilda has since been selected in the final squad for Football Victoria’s National Training Centre (NTC) U14 team, being handpicked out of more than 200 Victorian girls.

She is the only player from the Geelong region selected to represent NTC in each of its U14, U15 and U17 sides.

A prestigious pathway program, NTC fosters the most skilful soccer players from around the state with help from experienced coaches and technical directors.

Tash hopes to inspire other girls in the community to dream big.