WHEN Cushla Rue first pulled on a pair of boots for a game of under 6 soccer she was following in the footsteps of her brother, but now she wants to follow the example of others.
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Now talented Bathurst 17-year-old is drawing her inspiration from those who have played for Australia. She's also trained alongside them.
Late last month Rue joined a number of those who have worn national colours at the inaugural Women's Talent Identification Camp in Canberra.
Rue was one of just 23 players selected - 19 of whom have already represented Australia at junior and Young Matildas level - to take part in the five-day camp.
There she was guided and assessed by Matildas coaching staff as they cast their eyes over young players like Rue who they believe have the potential to play for Australia on a a senior level.
"I was very shocked to get invited, but I'm so grateful, it was such an opportunity and I couldn't wait to be a part of it," Rue said.
"It was a bit surreal, definitely, it was so professional and I'd never done anything like that so I was just soaking up as much as I could.
"I wanted to see where I was at and it was also inspiring as well."
Rue earned the invite to the camp on the back of her efforts in the National Premier Leagues competition where she plays for the Football NSW Institute.
She first joined FNSW Institute in 2018 as part of the squad which played in the NPL under 17s, but this season Rue played in the reserve grade outfit that finished as runners-up, scoring 13 goals in 12 matches.
Rue also added five appearance in the top grade to the nine she made in 2019, saying the experience "definitely aids development."
Developing her game is certainly something Rue has done since she first tried the sport. Her combination of speed - she's won state sprinting medals - and skill have made her a force.
"My brother played when he was younger and I just started when I was about six, I got into it with Collegians," she said. "I played Bathurst District, Country Cup and then for [Western NSW] Mariners."
The camp was the biggest step in Rue's soccer career thus far. She not only trained with the like of Ellie Brush, who has played in defence for the Matildas, but a host of W-League stars.
She also got an idea of what she needs to do off the field to further her development.
"We did training sessions, a few media talks and information talks on mentality, dietary requirements," Rue said.
"It definitely was an eye-opener, it just shows the commitment and all the hard work that goes into it off the field that no-one sees. It just shows what I have to do and how hard I have to work to get where I want to be."
And where does Rue want to be? Her answer is no surprise: "I'd love to play for the Matildas."
While Rue still has work ahead of her to become a Matilda, she hopes to take a step towards becoming a Young Matilda by scoring an invite to their December 11-16 camp.
"They haven't selected that yet but I'm in the extended squad of 33, they have to cull that down to 23 so I'm a bit nervous," she said.
"So fingers crossed for that."
In any case, Rue will continue to do as the coaching staff at the talent camp suggested and keep working hard on her skills and intensity.
She will be assisted by the Western Region Academy of Sport as one of their lone star athletes, her coaches and naturally, her parents.
"I have to give a big thank you to my parents, the WRAS program, in particular Candice Boggs, plus Leigh Miller and Kate Lynch my sprint and strength coaches for all of their support and effort," Rue said.
