Blacktown Spartans footballer Ashley Calver a Junior Sports Star nominee

KINGS   Langley footballer Ashley Calver not only captained her Blacktown Spartans under-15s team to this season’s grand final, she also coaches younger players and still manages to find time for school work.

Junior Sports Star nominee Ashley Calver.

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KINGS   Langley footballer Ashley Calver not only captained her Blacktown Spartans under-15s team to this season’s grand final, she also coaches younger players and still manages to find time for school work.

The St John Paul II Catholic College student has been playing since the age of nine after getting the bug from her football-mad brothers.

“She is really dedicated to her team and, even if she is sick, she still turns up,” proud mum Brunessa said.

“She also coaches a young team of under sixes and sevens so she’s busy playing, training and coaching.”

Ashley, a centreback, has been playing with the Spartans for three years. This year she helped the side reach the grand finals where they took on a Football NSW squad, beating them 3-2.

“This year has been really good,” Ashley said.

“I was captain for my team and we got all the way to the grand final, which was great but I’ve managed to keep school work going too thanks to my teachers who helped me get a study timetable together.”

Ashley is certainly busy. In the season, she trains Wednesdays and Thursdays and also carries out the coaching duties.

She is plays competitively indoors over the spring and summer months, but will move into the Spartans’ under-17 team for the next outdoor season.

The Year 10 student said she had her sights set on a professional football career.

“Of course my absolute dream would be to play for Australia. I’d also like to go and play in the US because that’s where women’s football is big and there are lots of teams there,” she said.

Ashley is a Junior Sports Star nominee. The awards are sponsored by Rebel. Nominate a young athlete at juniorsportsstar.com.au