Lucy earns national berth

Lucy Jerram lives and breathes soccer.

The 17-year-old has been playing since she was five and in the last few years has established herself as one of the best players in the State.

Last month, Lucy captained the WA under-19s girls team that competed in the School Sport Australia National Football Championships at Lark Hill Sportsplex.

It was the third year the Safety Bay Senior High School student had been chosen for the WA squad and this year she caught the eye of national selectors.

Lucy has since been chosen as a member of the All-Australian under-19s squad that will take part in the School Sport Australia tour of the UK and Ireland next year.

“I was a little bit shocked when I found out I was selected,” she said.

“There are only two players from WA on the team and it’s very competitive.

“We get to know each other at a training camp in Sydney for a few weeks next year before we fly out for the tour.”

Lucy plays for Melville City Football Club in the WA Women’s State League and has been a member of the SBSH Football Academy since she was in Year 8.

Academy head Neil Addison said Lucy was the first student from the school to be chosen for an SSA touring team.

“This is the highest level of representation for school-aged kids to achieve and it is a very high standard of football,” he said. “Lucy is incredibly dedicated and committed to her football and it is fantastic to see her living her dream.”

Lucy plans to play professionally, and with scouts set to follow the Australian team on its tour, her future looks very bright.

“I love football so much,” she said. “It makes me feel like nothing else matters, it keeps me busy and out of trouble.”