By JARROD POTTER
BEFORE they had even squared off in an official match, the Parkmore Pirates’ Youth Girls team had a state representative.
For in-coming state star Teagan Sheldon, 16, from Scoresby, it is a chance help guide the new side while also pushing for her second bid at Victoria Metro representation.
Making this side this season – After a horror 2014 decimated by injuries and setbacks – was a huge relief for the utility as she wanted to make sure this year was different and she was able to mount a strong case for Vic Metro selection.
“It feels pretty good – I missed out last year, so making it this year feels so much better,” Sheldon said.
“I’d made it the year before last year, but I was just riddled with injuries last year with an Achilles and knees.”
The setbacks and omission from the state side inspired her to push even harder this year to regain her place in the National Championships.
She only has one aim for the upcoming campaign – returning the Youth Girls’ championship back to Victoria where it belongs.
“We want to take back what’s ours and that’s the trophy,” Sheldon said.
She decided to stick in the South East Juniors when her Scoresby team left the competition and some off-field incidents made it clear that she wanted a fresh start at a different club. Parkmore seemed the ideal place to continue her junior football journey and she’s thrilled to help cultivate a strong football culture in the Greater Dandenong area.
“We had a look at the other teams going around and saw Parkmore had a new team,” Sheldon said. “I thought I’d start afresh – go to the new team and help build them up and I knew one of the girls down here already and was already thinking ‘Karina (Pirates’ player Karina Diaz) will probably need a bit of help’… so Parkmore was where I was going.”
She encouraged any female players to try out Pirates football and attend a training session to see if it’s the right fit.
“Get into it – its great fun and you’ll meet many new friends out of it… all you’ve got to do is come down and have a try,” Sheldon said.
She wanted to thank her dad, primary school PE teacher Mrs Lee and her past and present football coaches for their encouragement and support.
Sheldon’s Vic Metro team are in Mandurah, Western Australia this week with the championships running from 4-9 May.
