South coast football star Indie Parkes, 13, chasing Matildas dream in Europe

Meet the 13-year-old type one diabetic taking on the world as she chases a dream of wearing the Matildas uniform one day - sooner rather than later - and how you can help her.

Indie Parkes, 13, of the Illawarra Stingrays. Picture: Kevin Merrigan

The south coast might have a future Matilda on their hands in Indie Parkes, the inspirational young star rising through the ranks of junior football in NSW.

Parkes, 13, is gearing up to travel to Europe in December having been selected as part of a football tour that will play abroad, as she looks to further her dreams of becoming a professional player.

The young star has been selected to play for the Football NSW Talent Support Program, leading to an invitation to travel to Europe and experience playing football against academy teams overseas in the likes of London, Paris, Yorkshire and Manchester.

For Parkes, football is an escape from the challenges she has faced off the field after being diagnosed as a type one diabetic at the age of four.

“Indie can’t simply run out onto the field like most kids can,” said Joanna McCarron, Indie’s aunt.

“She has to count carbs, check her blood sugar levels and do the calculations to make sure first and foremost that she is safe, but also so when she’s playing she can focus solely on the game.

“Over the years she has tackled challenges no child should have to face.”

Indie Parkes, 13, of the Illawarra Stingrays. Picture: Kevin Merrigan

What makes Parkes’ case all the more interesting is that she only picked up the sport a year ago, having previously played tackle rugby league and AFL.

From 2022 the young star decided to put all her attention towards her new-found love of football, kicking off her journey with her local side the Berry Shoalhaven Heads Sharks.

From there it’s been only up, successfully trialling for one of 13 spots to represent the south coast region in a PSSA tournament in which she was the top goalscorer.

Beginning to catch the eyes of those in the football scene, Parkes trialled for a representative team in the Illawarra Stingrays and was once again successful, still donning the Stingrays pink to this day.

Jason Gaudiosi, coach of the U13s Stingrays side, is super impressed with how fast Parkes has picked up the game and become a key player for the team.

“She brings a positive attitude and a good left boot,” Gaudiosi said.

Indie Parkes, 13, of the Illawarra Stingrays. Picture: Supplied

“She doesn’t look out of place at all, fighting for every chance, strong on the ball and not afraid to take players on.

“She’s not one to complain either, if her blood sugar levels are low she just lets me know and she can go sort it.

“I hope we have her at the team next year, whipping in crosses and scoring goals.”

Shortly after starting at the Stingrays, Parkes was also selected in the Sydney FC Academy, which was a real test of her and her family’s commitment with 4:30am wakeups to hit the highway northbound to make morning trainings from the south coast.

McCarron, as one of her niece’s biggest supporters, highlights how this motivation stems back to the adversity the young star has faced throughout childhood with her condition.

“With that disease there are no days off,” McCarron said.

“You can’t make excuses and if you’re not committed to control you end up in hospital very quickly.

“It’s inspiring and mind-blowing to witness someone so young with the mentality of hers.

“We’ve seen her have to leave the field when her body’s blood sugar is on two and she’s shaking, sweating, her eyesight is affected … only to have some sugar, tell anyone making a fuss that she’s fine and she’s back up ready to go again.”

Parkes has recently been fitted with an insulin pump in the hopes of gaining more control over her condition, massively influenced by her football aspirations.

She took to her own Instagram to share the news, saying “no more five needles a day for me … this is life changing and literally game changing.”

If you’d like to support Parkes on her journey to help her get over to Europe, her family has set up a GoFundMe.