Casey Comets defender Anna Carmichael has accepted a soccer and academic scholarship to play the sport for Texas A and M University. 09050 Picture: Luke Plummer.By Marc McGowan
NEXT month Casey Comets rising star Anna Carmichael begins what promises to be an opportunity of a lifetime.
While trialing for the Victorian under 17 soccer squad two years ago, Carmichael, now 18, was approached by the National Scouting Report to play the sport for an American college.
The teenage defender was too young at the time, but after finishing her high school studies last year, Carmichael is raring to go.
She will attend Texas A and M University on a soccer and academic scholarship and face some of the best round ball talents in the country.
“I’ve been trying to find out as much as I can about it,” Carmichael said.
“I’m pretty excited; it should be a good experience and a bit of an eye-opener.
“Apparently it’s pretty intense, so it will be good.”
The Mt Eliza resident will train up to four times a week and play matches every three or four days.
At the Comets, Carmichael trains twice a week and competes on weekends, but the increased workload does not faze her.
“You’re expected to be really committed, so it will be a bit of a change, but it should be really good,” she said.
“I’m just sort of taking it as it comes. I’m not sure whether I want to pursue the sport professionally.
“This is really good for now.”
Since Carmichael made the decision to accept the scholarship in May, Casey coach Deborah Nichols has seen significant progression in her game.
“She’s gone to another level,” Nichols said.
“It would have been terrific if she’d been at that level the whole season, but I’ve definitely noticed an improvement since she’s been given the green light.
“Anna’s very strong in the air and is not quick, but is one of these defenders that knows she’s not that quick, so she stays tight and can play physically.”
Carmichael plays her last Women’s Premier League fixture for the Comets –for the time being, at least – against the Bendigo Vipers on 26 July, and has enjoyed her four seasons at the club.
“There’s definitely a good bunch of people down there,” she said.
“There used to be a lot of older girls, but it’s a really young team now and every game (over the past two seasons) could have gone either way.
“We’ve been a bit unlucky, but everyone is still pretty positive about it all.”
As with any trip into the unknown, Carmichael has a back-up if her Texas college experience does not go according to plan.
She has also been accepted into Melbourne University, but has deferred her psychology degree.
“I can still go back in January if America doesn’t work out,” Carmichael said.
“There are standards I have to get. I have to maintain a GPA of 3.3 overseas, which is roughly a B-plus here.
“I’d like to keep playing and keep trying to improve with it, and ultimately I’d love to play for Australia.
“It will probably never happen, but I’ll still aim for that.”
