Teen off to the big stage

Local soccer star Asha McClurg will travel to Adelaide next week to represent WA and St Mary Mackillop College at the 10th annual Pacific School Games.

The 16-year-old was one of five South West players selected in the under-19s WA State School Girls soccer team.

Asha will make her State-level debut at the competition and said she was excited to compete against other State and international sides including India, China and Pakistan.

The teenager has been travelling to Perth about three times a week since May for trials and training, and said she was thrilled to be selected in the team. “It’s been hard work juggling school, training and the trips to Perth, but worth it,” she said.

Asha started playing soccer when she was five, playing at a junior local level with St Josephs Primary, MacKillop Catholic College and Busselton Soccer Club.

She has represented Leeuwin Naturaliste Junior Soccer Association at country week since she was 13 and started playing in the South West Women’s League last year.

Her list of accolades include the 2017 South West women’s rising star award, Busselton Youth League’s fairest and best, Busselton Women’s fairest and best, LNJSA youth league joint fairest and best and country week carnival fairest and best.

Asha credited her continued improvement in soccer to the coaching received from her father, Peter McClurg, and the Football Federation South West training Centre.