By JARROD POTTER
FROM playing Garfield juniors to donning the Big V in the space of a year, it has been a rapid rise of junior footballer Izzy Marsh.
Marsh, 14, from Garfield, will replace her green and gold Garfield jumper with the School Sports Victoria Under-16 girls’ football jersey, after gaining selection in the squad that heads to the nationals in Darwin this August.
“There’s two trials – I didn’t get to go to the first as I’ve been sick – so it’s amazing how I only did one trial and got in,” Marsh said.
“It felt just amazing as I didn’t think I’d get – I played terribly at the trials – at least that’s what I thought and they obviously saw something in me.”
Having to retire from the junior ranks after a five-year journey through the Ellinbank and District Footbal League (EDFL) last season, the rover/midfielder sat out a season of footy before joining up with the Warragul Colts Youth Girls football team.
“I started when I was about 9-1. I just starting dancing and a couple of my mates, most of my mates were boys, they got me into playing as wel. I realised I really liked it and kept playing.
“I stopped playing last year with the boys as the league doesn’t allow girls to go any further, but started again with the Youth Girls in Warragul.
“I haven’t started yet, but I’ve just been training for a while, but it will be fun to get into it – but we don’t have too many players on the team yet, so hopefully we get a few more down.”
The sporting all-rounder was also named in the EDFL’s Under-15 netball squad – plying her craft in the centre for Cora Lynn.
“Mum’s getting me into netball,” Marsh said. “I only started playing a couple of years ago and started playing it in the Ellinbank league last year, and now I’m in the interleague.
“I love my footy more, but netball is good to play some sport and to socialise.”
Marsh isn’t pinning too many expectations on her first Victorian campaign. She is just wanting to take in all there is on offer and enjoy the event.
“Just to have a good carnival and to experience it,” she said. “It will be good to play with the girls and play in the state level.”
“I tried out last year and only got an emergency, but it’s good this year to get in the side itself.”
If anyone would like to sponsor Izzy Marshto help cover her travel costs to Darwin, contact her mother Donna on: 0438 562 924.
