What started out as a bit of fun has morphed into a once in a lifetime opportunity for three Oxley High students.
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Emma Allen, Nakeisha Burgess and Milla Thompson will wear the green and gold in August after being selected in the Australian under-15 girls futsal side to tour Brazil in August.
Their selection followed strong performances at the Australian Championships in Brisbane last year, where they helped the Oxley under-16 team finish fifth.
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Having played soccer since they were young, the trio all took up futsal had a bit of fun and never really had aspirations beyond that.
Suffice to say the news of their Aussie call-ups came as a surprise.
"It was just a bit of fun. To make the Australian team was just, wow," Allen said.
The 14-year-old said it will be "amazing" to represent Australia. Thompson, 15, and Burgess, 14, expressed similar sentiments.
"It will be pretty amazing to go to Brazil for futsal," Thompson said.
The country is the most successful at World Cup level, having won five of the eight tournaments held.
Asked what she was most looking forward to, Thompson said "all of it will be really awesome to experience".
"I'm looking forward to being able to see their culture and their side of the world," Burgess added.
"I've never been to South America before."
All three were part of Oxley's success at the recent Northern NSW Futsal Championships at Coffs Harbour, with the under-14 and under-16 sides both bringing home titles. They enjoy the fast-paced nature of the sport.
Playing futsal has helped the trio's soccer games.
As much as Allen enjoys futsal, soccer is where her heart lies - with her long-time goal to play for the Matildas.
After playing for the Newcastle Emerging Jets under-14s in the NSW NPL Women's under-15 competition last year, the talented youngster has this season linked up with Merewether.
Playing first grade and under-20s, it has been a learning curve.
"It's a lot harder, especially playing against W-League players and ex-Matildas," she said.
"I've got an ex-Matilda and a current W-League player in my side."
