Cara’s journey started when she was selected to play in the Riverina squad at the New South Wales State titles in Dubbo in mid 2007.

In November, 2007 after the State titles Cara received a letter from Football NSW identifying her as a player with potential and was therefore invited to train in Sydney with other players who were also identified with potential from the Riverina, Southern and Western divisions of New South Wales.

Prior to her weekend in Sydney the new Riverina Development Officer, Tim Wilson, organised a six week training program in Wagga Wagga every Sunday. From this camp forty girls were selected to go to a further camp in Sydney for two days in December.

Due to the high standard and skills of all girls the selectors were forced to hold a further four day camp in January in Sydney where the girls were then cut back to a squad of thirty.

At the conclusion of this camp twenty four girls were picked to continue trialling for NSW Country. This same squad trialled throughout February and March. A squad of twenty was then selected for another four day camp in Bathurst. A final weekend camp was scheduled in Sydney where selectors announced the final team of sixteen.

Cara had to wait two weeks before she received any form of correspondence from Football NSW. Like any other day Cara would call in to see her mum, Ann-Marie Phillis, at work. However last month a nervous Ann-Marie told Cara of the letter that was sitting at home from Football NSW. Cara ran all the way home and quickly opened the envelope. Cara had been selected to play for the NSW Country squad. Cara says she was so excited, the first thing she did was telephone mum and dad, Craig, at their work.

Cara has trained two to three days a week since last November and all her hard work and training has been rewarded. Cara’s parents, Ann-Marie and Craig are very proud of Cara’s achievements and wish her all the best in July where she will have a week long tournament in Sydney when NSW Country will play other interstate teams.

The Harden Soccer Club committee, players and parents also wish to congratulate Cara on her wonderful achievement. A combination of Cara’s dedication and her family’s sacrifice of weekends and a love of travelling across New South Wales had paid off for Cara. She deserves all her success and is a wonderful role model for the younger players in the Harden Junior Soccer Club.

Congratulations Cara!