mmg.com.au

Walk into Holly Boldiston’s bedroom and it’s hard to miss her passion for soccer.

Alongside the posters of pop music group One Direction, there are newspaper clippings featuring the captain of the Matildas, Australia’s national female soccer team.

Not to mention the scores of medals and trophies that adorn the shelves at the end of the bed.

‘‘I just love it,’’ Holly said. ‘‘I just love having the ball at my foot all the time, even if it’s in the back yard or actually on the soccer pitch or at training.’’

The 13-year-old has been playing soccer for four years and has already represented Victoria four times, earning the honour of a $500 Local Sporting Champion grant.

She also plays locally for Shepparton South in winter and for Rivers in summer.

Holly said the funds were a welcome reward for the effort put in by her family.

‘‘I felt very happy because it really helped,’’ she said.

‘‘Being from the country we have to travel a lot for competitions and for training (so) I was very relieved.’’

Holly said it was her grandfather, a Dutch migrant with a love of soccer, who inspired her to take up the sport.

‘‘My Opa ... he really loves soccer and he got me involved,’’ Holly said.

‘‘I just started kicking in the back yard with him ... and just went on from there.’’

Now she trains two to three times a week, for up to two hours, in Shepparton and further afield.

‘‘I think it affects my social life a little bit but on Thursday nights we go on a bus to Wangaratta for training so that’s kind of like the social side of soccer,’’ she said.

She said it also gives her mum and dad a break from ferrying her about.

Holly’s dream is to play for Australia and it seems she’s got it all planned out.

‘‘First I want to play for Melbourne Victory ... and soon, I also want to go to the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) and train there,’’ Holly said.

‘‘I think that would be a very good opportunity to develop my skills and also my knowledge of what’s good to eat and how to look after my body.’’

This year Holly is working towards selection for the under-15 girls’ Victorian team which will be a harder feat than previous years.

Only one state team is formed in this age division and Holly will be among the youngest potential players at only 13. But far from being intimidated by the competition, Holly said she was excited about possibilities.

‘‘That’s when it starts to get a bit more serious. There’ll be Australian selectors there, not making a team but just looking around.’’