With five bigger brothers, and two soccer-playing parents, there was probably little doubt that Beth Bernardi would show anything but finesse on the field too.
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But the 15-year-old surpassed all expectations when she represented NSW Country at the National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour last month.
The team of 16 girls played five games to win the national titles, making them the best under 15s team in Australia for 2015.
This was the second time Beth has reached the national level, representing NSW Country for the first time when she was 13.
Winning titles however was a first for the young player who said she was delighted with the team’s achievement.
“It was really exciting,” Beth said.
“Everyone was pretty passionate on the day which was good.” Parents Nicole and Peter watched Beth on the sidelines at the national titles and admitted they were perhaps more emotional about the win then their youngest daughter.
“Her mum and dad are extremely proud of her,” Peter said.
“It’s an amazing achievement and it’s not something that happens everyday.”
Beth has been on the soccer field since she was five years old.
Starting at the local soccer club, she played for Forbes, then the Lachlan team before being selected for the Western NSW Mariners team.
For three years, Beth played for the Mariners, travelling to Bathurst or Sydney once a week for training and to away games each weekend.
Currently Beth attends school in Sydney at Abbotsleigh and last year she was selected to play for Manly United in the Youth Premiere League.
While Beth says she has no concrete plans for the future, she hopes to keep playing soccer.
Look out Matildas.
