Violet Nicholson: Tamworth teen 'thankful' to receive NSW Football talented Indigenous scholarship

The Tamworthian, 15, graduated from the Gomeroi Culture Academy on Friday and then spoke about her football dreams and the important role her Indigenous heritage plays in her life.

A proud Gamilaraay Yuwalaraay descendent, Nicholson is one of the region's most promising young players and a recent recipient of the inaugural NSW Football talented Indigenous scholarship.

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The year 9 Carinya Christian School student regards the scholarship as one of her biggest achievements in life.

And the striker-cum-central midfielder has looked on with wonder as players like Matildas and Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr blaze a path internationally for others to follow.

Getting to play the game professionally would be "really good", Nicholson said, adding: "And I really hope that would happen. But I'll just have see how far I go."

Nicholson said she was "thankful" to receive the NSWF scholarship.

She added: "I'm surprised I got it in ... it's a really good opportunity to expand on my soccer career."

Playing for Tamworth FC, she continued, had been "good" as it helped her improve her game.

"I want to see how far I can go in it [football], because I enjoy it a lot," she said.

Nicholson - who competed at the 2019 National Indigenous Football Championships - is already giving back to a sport that has given her so much: this year she was assistant coach of Tamworth FC's under-8 side.

Unsurprisingly, she said two of three words that best described her were energetic and passionate. Social is the other word. While spending time with family and friends makes her happy, as does being active.

At this year's Johnson Cup, she was energetic in front of goal - winning the tournament's golden boot as Tamworth FC claimed the title.

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