Cheltenham girl a kick closer to football dream after School Sports Victoria selection

EVER since she strapped on her footy boots, SSV U16 girls star Georgia Ricardo has dreamt of running out on the MCG.

Georgia Ricardo has made the SSV girls 16 and under team, but she has her eyes on a berth

EVER since she strapped on her boots, Georgia Ricardo has dreamt of running out on the MCG.

And with her selection for the School Sports Victoria 16 and under girls footy team for the National Championships in Sydney later in the year, the Cheltenham schoolgirl has taken a step closer to fulfilling that dream.

“It’s been overwhelming and I’m pretty happy with it,” the 15-year-old said.

She narrowly missed out on the team last year, although was called up as an 11th-hour emergency and went with the team to Darwin where they finished ­second.

Determined not to leave it down to chance this time, she ramped up her training and is out on the oval five nights a week.

“It’s pretty crazy now, we have a board up in the house where we write down all the places I have to be during the week,” the youngster said.

Her enthusiasm for the game has even spurred her twin sister Zoe to lace up and give footy a go.

“I just like keeping fit and running around with all my mates,” Georgia said.

She relies on her pace and stamina to get her through the games, but more than anything she loves the ­contact.

“I go in hard and it makes it more fun and more enjoyable, I reckon,” she said.

“Hopefully one day I’ll get to play on the MCG, which I’ve always wanted to do.

“Watching all the boys play there and playing their dream, and the amount of support they’re getting and fun they look like their having, I reckon it’d be pretty fun.”