SHE'S trained with the Young Matildas and now Cushla Rue is taking an even bigger step in her soccer career after signing on as part of the inaugural Wellington Phoenix A-League Women's side.
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The Bathurst 18-year-old was one of the first mandated seven Australian players on Wellington's roster to be revealed and while she knows a big challenge lies ahead, she can't help but smile when talking about joining the A-League Women's ranks.
"It's been a goal of mine and I was looking forward to possibly a train on position for this season, but because I was in Bathurst and completing the HSC I knew it would be a challenge," she said.
"So when a possible contract came along I was very excited, overwhelmed. I'm really looking forward to it."
While initially looking at a train on position with either Sydney FC or Western Sydney Wanderers, Young Matildas coach Leah Blayney was keen to see her get regular game time.
It was Blayney who contacted Rue about a possible opportunity with Phoenix and a zoom meeting with Wellington head coach Gemma Lewis followed.
Rue was asked if she would be prepared to move to become part of the Phoenix squad. The answer: "Yes, definitely yes."
While Lewis said that Rue being "pegged as a future Matildas star" was one of the reasons for her recruitment, the Phoenix coach has also been impressed by the teenager's record in the NSW NPL Women's competition.
Rue spent four season with the Football NSW Institute, amassing 19 goals over 75 matches.
But whether or not Rue is deployed as a striker for Phoenix remains to be seen. For her it is simply about taking whatever opportunity is presented and to keep improving her football as a member of the youthful squad.
"They are looking at me to be a striker or a defender, either a seven, 11, two or five, which is good as hopefully it will increase my chances of game time. I don't have a preference, I'd be happy with either," she said.
"It will be a young team and as Gemma said, this year will be about personal development and just growing as a team rather than aiming for winning those games.
"I guess the whole atmosphere of the club will be excited because we know it's the first one [season] and we're going to want to make it good."
Amongst the first to congratulate Rue was current Socceroo and Sydney FC A-League star Rhyan Grant. He also spent his junior years playing in Bathurst.
"Rhyan Grant sent me a message saying how good it is to see another Central West player up there and to rip in," Rue said, that smile on her face getting even bigger.
Rue will head to Sydney to quarantine before joining her Wellington team-mates, the side set to be based in Wollongong this season with WIN Stadium their home ground.
She feels that training with the Young Matildas has been good preparation and though A-League is a step up, she's excited about the challenge.
"I think it has given me a great advantage being able to train in that type of environment consistently for the year and playing with players who are experienced. That has prepared me to enter an A-League environment where I can give it my best," she said.
"It's a bit surreal I will be playing against Matildas players and people I have been watching for a few years, knowing I'm going to come up against them is scary, but I'm exited to give it a go.
"The first game is against Western Sydney Wanderers, I'm looking forward to it. We'll just have to rip in and show them what we can do."
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