From indoor sports arenas in the Mackay region to exotic South America – that is the fascinating journey that lies ahead for Sarina’s Futsal soccer ace Ella Walz.
Scoring goals has become second nature to the St Patrick’s College student who has gained selection in the Under 19s All Stars Australian team for a tour of Chile next May.
Ella was named one of the country’s top eleven junior players after standout performances for Northern Queensland at this year’s National Schools Futsal Championships at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena.
The gun forward caught the eye of selectors with her goal-scoring prowess – bagging ten goals for the series and sparking the Queenslanders with her fleet footwork, smart positional play, mobility and radar boot.
It has been a meteoric rise for the 16-year-old schoolgirl who quickly adapted to indoor soccer when she burst onto the Futsal scene back in 2021.
Ella accepted an invitation from her cousin Ryan Desbois to play for a mixed team in the Mackay summer competition and proved a natural with her speed and flair up front.
Having now reached an elite level, she continues to develop her game and has shown a maturity in the indoor sport with intense training and coaching from local soccer experts.
An excited Walz looks forward to broadening her Futsal education when she embarks on her South American sojourn next year with the national squad.
Ella knows how tough the assignment will be but is keen to learn when she lines up against the skilful and flamboyant Chileans on their home court.
The emerging forward is just as adept in outdoor football and has shone for the Mackay Magpies FC since the age of eleven.
Last year she was blooded in the women’s ranks and helped the Magpies record a 2-0 Grand Final victory over the Lions in the Mackay Regional Football Zone.
By Chris Karas
Mackay schoolgirl Ella Walz will represent the Under 19 All Stars Australia Futsal team on their tour of Chile in 2024
