Star player inspired to be mentor for indigenous students

On and off the field, soccer star Samara Christmas is kicking goals for her indigenous heritage.

TO THE FUTURE: Samara Christmas was selected in the inaugural Indigenous Koala's Womens soccer team. Picture: John McCutcheon

ON AND off the field, soccer star Samara Christmas is kicking goals for her indigenous heritage.

The University of the Sunshine Coast student was selected as part of Australia's first indigenous women's football team that recently competed at the Arafura Games in Darwin.

The record-breaking Koala players won the competition undefeated, taking out the grand final three-nil against Singapore.

Although the Torres Strait descendant "never would have thought” she'd be playing for her culture, Samara said the experience was "overwhelming”.

"To be selected in a side like that and to be creating history was just amazing,” she said.

Samara said the teammates pulled together to win gold despite "barely knowing each other”.

"With one training session under our belt, to go through and be undefeated and win the whole competition was actually unreal.

"We all clicked straight away. We were one mob, one big family, which is how you have to be in a team like that,” she said.

In her final year studying primary education, Samara said the experience in the Northern Territory inspired her to become a mentor for the next generation of indigenous students.

"There was so much that I learnt, more about my own culture as well and how I can embed those perspectives in the classroom,” she said.

"I've gained a stronger passion for helping more Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander kids who don't have as many opportunities as others, and to put more light onto those children.”

Koalas coach Mick Hugo said it was a privilege to coach the team of talented women.

"For the girls to go undefeated and take out the gold medal with only one goal conceded, is a massive achievement,” he said.

Mr Hugo said Samara had a bright future ahead of her in terms of playing soccer.

"She went out there and showed her talent to the best of her ability. It was just unreal.”