Matilda Dancing on a Different Stage
While terms such as dedicated, motivated and role model are often used to describe modern professional athletes, Australian Matildas goal keeper Melissa Barbieri, fits the mould despite not being a full time professional.
It-s her dedication to the game of football and her motivation to retaining her spot as the nation-s best female keeper that has brought her to the 2008 National Futsal Champions in Canberra as the Victorian Open Women-s keeper, her tireless work ethic making her the ideal role model for any aspiring footballers.
While her Matildas teams mates are having down time and repairing any niggling injuries following their incredible run at the 2007 FIFA Women-s World Cup from which they emerged from the Socceroos shadows and made a name for themselves in doing so, Barbieri took the opportunity to remain between the sticks in a version of the game foreign to the international player.
It-s not the opportunity to stop blistering shots that excites Barbieri the most about Futsal, instead it-s the chance to do the opposite.
”It-s [futsal] a lot different but a lot of fun. I get the opportunity to shoot,” Barbieri said.
At the half way stage of the futsal championships, it-s evident that the one time field player turned keeper has an eye for goal having already scored twice in Victoria-s undefeated run at the nationals.
”I only turned into a goal keeper a couple of years ago when I got a mysterious injury. The doctor said I couldn-t run any more,” the Victorian goal sneak said.
”When we finally found out it was only hamstring tendonitis, I was already comfortable and good in goal.”
Having only taken up futsal a month before the championships, the 52 capped international is still coming to grips with the indoor version of the game she-s so familiar with.
”It-s very new to me, I-m still learning the rules and I stuff up every now and then by giving away free kicks. I try to make up for it by not letting it in.”
”It was something I wanted to do. I knew there would be some down time after the world cup. I thought I would do something to keep me occupied and keep my mind going and my reflexes up.”
Fortunately for Victoria and Barbieri, a Matilda-s training camp starting tomorrow at the AIS and an understanding Matildas coach, Tom Sermanni, won-t interfere with any scheduled matches.
”As long as I-m at all Matildas training, the coach doesn-t mind what I do with the futsal. As long as I attend everything and Tom [Sermanni] doesn-t have to worry about me turning up, he-s fine with my playing.”
Planning and preparations are well underway for the Matildas with the Asian Cup kicking off in May as they look to go one step further following their loss to China in penalties during the final on home soil in 2006.
While the Matildas remain high on Melissa Barbieri-s list, she-s not ruling out a future in Futsal, only this time around in a less professional setting.
”I won-t let it [futsal] interrupt my Matildas duties but I-m sure I could find a team on a week night at my local gym.”
The National Futsal Championships run from Monday, 7th January until Friday, 11th January at various venues across the ACT.
For more information on the national titles visit www.futsalnationals.com.auwww.futsalnationals.com.au