Gun trio of Vic picks

June 14 2014

Shepparton News

Leia Varley, Lucy Murdoch and Alicia Laffy certainly put in the hard yards where their soccer is concerned.

Four training sessions a week and trips to Melbourne for trials have been rewarded with selection for the Victorian under-13 girls country team.

Varley was selected for the team last year as a first reserve, but for Murdoch and Laffy, the selection is a new step in their exciting young careers.

All three will travel to Coffs Harbour next month to take part in the national championships.

‘‘I’m looking forward to it,’’ Murdoch said.

‘‘I’ve never travelled outside of Victoria to play before, so it’ll be good to go somewhere different to play and be with my friends for a whole week.’’

Murdoch and Laffy are teammates in Shepparton South’s table-topping under-16 team.

‘‘We’re at the top of the ladder and won all our games so far, so it’s going well so far,’’ Laffy said.

It will be the first time Varley has played at the tournament, too, as she did not travel with the team as first reserve last year.

‘‘I’ve played in Queensland with other school Victorian state teams, but I’ve never been to the tournament in Coffs,’’ Varley said.

Varley turns out for Goulburn Valley Suns’ under-13 side and has been a regular in one of the Suns’ best performing junior sides.

‘‘It’s alright playing with the boys. It’s a bit challenging,’’ Varley said.

‘‘We win, then we lose, then we win, then we lose, so we’re up and down the ladder and it’s a bit frustrating but it’s good.

‘‘I think it pressures me to be better which helps.’’

Murdoch and Laffy train with the Suns as well as playing for South as part of their preparations for Coffs Harbour.

All three were selected for the team after successfully completing three trials in Melbourne and all three believe the team is looking good.

The Victorian Country side will be in Coffs Harbour from July 7 to 11.