By JARROD POTTER
EVEN if big accolades and soccer success come her way, Nikolina Bucalo knows she can’t let it go to her head.
In only five years on the field Bucalo, 16, from Doveton, has risen from first steps on field at the Casey Kings junior soccer club to the Senior National Training Centre (NTC) side in this year’s Women’s National Premier League.
After a big few years playing through the centre – Bucalo hopes to catch the eye of Young Matildas selectors, as she believes she’s got a strong chance of making the side in upcoming campaigns.
She’s also keen to throw her hat in the W-League ring as the talented teenager embarks on the next phase of her soccer journey.
Despite a stop-start year with an ankle injury, Bucalo has managed to impress in the NTC ranks, especially at the NTC Challenge held earlier this year at the Canberra-based Australian Institute of Sport.
Her Victorian side rose up the ranks to finish second and Bucalo put it down to reformed attitudes and cohesive spirit throughout the team.
“We went to the NTC Challenge, where we did a really great job,” Bucalo said.
“We came second – we’ve struggled over the years with Victoria, we’ve always come last or second last, but this year we put a really good team together and played really well.
“Attitude shift for sure – the teams were closer together this year and we all knew what we were doing.
It wasn’t just that we connected through soccer, we connected through friendship and everyone was there together and backing each other up, then we put that onto the field.”
It all started as an 11-year-old at Casey Kings, thrown into the boys side and given all the opportunities necessary to flourish and she credits her coaches there for pushing her along and giving her a chance.
From the Casey Kings, Bucalo went straight to the Victorian ranks at under-13s, 14s, 15s then entered the NTC under-17s.
It’s been a tough way to learn the game – always facing the best and most of the time squaring off against experienced senior players – but Bucalo wants the big challenges as it’s the only way to dramatically improve.
“When you get thrown into the deep end you really have to surround yourself with a good bunch of people that will help you through that,” Bucalo said.
“And I feel I have with these teams and also learned by myself – not just with everyone helping – as you need to learn by yourself to upgrade your skills.
“It’s been difficult – I’m not going to lie – I’ve been pushed around a lot because the girls are much bigger and especially with the boys, but it makes me a stronger player on and off the field.”
Whether or not the big selections come her way this year, she’s ready to return to training track and push herself even further.
“I tell myself every single day – stay humble,” Bucalo said.
“It’s not a good thing to get a big head and when everything falls apart you don’t know what to do.”
She thanks her parents and all her coaches – Casey Kings coach Nele and Victorian program coaches Darren, Kat, and Stefan – for showing her how to act properly on and off the field.
