Despite the ongoing Matildas drama, local soccer star Ellie Carpenter was all too happy to announce the donation of $2000 worth of cash and equipment to her junior club Cowra and District during a Saturday morning clinic.
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The clinic was well attended, with dozens of children and teenagers taking the opportunity to get tips from the Portland and Canberra United defender ahead of a likely World Cup appearance in Paris later this year.
There were plenty of drills to keep kids entertained as Carpenter and a raft of players ran through drills, with plenty of merchandise and prizes putting a smile on kids faces throughout the morning.
Kids came from all over the area, with people coming from as far as Forbes to participate in the clinic, which started early on Saturday morning, just before extreme heat kicked in for the day.
Local football organiser Derek Sullivan was thrilled to get a donation for his soccer club, a benefit resulting from Carpenter’s second straight nomination for NAB Young Footballer of the Year.
“Cowra & District Soccer Club would like to congratulate Ellie on her outstanding achievements in her young soccer career,” Sullivan said.
He added that the club is planning on putting the funds to good use.
“We have created a special representative player grant, which uses the cash from Ellie's prize and other club funds to go to those aspiring young stars who want to further their Soccer career beyond Cowra and play representative soccer,” Sullivan said.
“They can apply to our club for financial assistance as travelling to and participating in representative soccer can be expensive for families.”
While Sullivan said the club was “extremely grateful” for Carpenter’s donation, he was also especially excited for the youngsters who got to spend time learning from Carpenter and her crew of players at the clinic.
He was also excited for what it might mean once Winter season rolls around.
“It is a joy to see our young children from Cowra, Canowindra and surrounding areas play soccer on Saturdays during our winter season,” he said.
“Having Ellie return to Cowra with her soccer clinic for our kids is exciting and I'm certain that many of them are inspired by Ellie's accomplishments.”
For Cowra, Twilight soccer has already resumed for the new year on Wednesday evenings at Sid Kallas oval, with junior soccer to resume in April.
Meanwhile, Carpenter will line up for Canberra United on Friday, January 25, against the Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
