Two Southern Highlands football players have had the experience of a lifetime in the United States.
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Moss Vale Soccer Club members Jordan Will and Dom Palmer have studied abroad for the past year, and have had the opportunity to perfect their football skills on part scholarships.
Dom Palmer, who enrolled in Ancilla College in Donaldson, Indianna, said the experience was a rewarding one. “It’s a great opportunity to travel, see new things and be integrated into American culture,” Palmer said. “It’s definitely different to what everyone thinks.”
Palmer said playing football abroad improved her abilities as she played at a higher level in different roles. “Being over there has definitely improved my skill level. I had to get used to playing against a different physicality,” she said. “To verse girls at such a high level has been an amazing opportunity. “I’m more confident playing against girls my own age. It has helped me grow as a player at a higher level.”
Palmer, who returned to the Highlands over the Christmas and New Year break, has another 18 months of her studies to go.
She will commence pre-season training in July, and will return to the field as one of the captains of the college’s Ancilla Chargers.
Jordan Will is also set to return to the United States to complete the last five months of her placement at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado.
Will said the experience had opened her eyes to the sporting culture in the United States. “The sport is a lot more serious. In America the colleges can have packed out stadiums,” she said.
Will said her training had made a huge difference to the way she played. “They do a lot of fitness training which helps you with playing,” she said.
“Even thinking in a different way and figuring out game plans helps.”
When Will graduates in May, she intends to finish her university degree and return to Moss Vale Soccer Club.