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HEALTH&FITNESS
308
October14
Tell us about your trip to the Gothia Youth World Cup in Sweden.
Our trip to Gothenburg was amazing. JSSL sent nine teams, making us the largest
international club fromoutside Europe to compete there. We played our first matches
on the Monday and won all of our group stages with scores like 11-0 and 5-2. By
Thursday, we’d reached the quarterfinals, which was where we’d been knocked
out the previous year; we were really determined to get past that point this time.
We ended up winning and moved on to the semis the next day, where we played
a Canadian team and won again, pushing us all the way to the finals.
On Friday, we played the finals in a small stadium, which was an incredible
experience. There was a great turnout – and great support – from all the JSSL
Arsenal teams that attended. Unfortunately, we lost against a Swedish academy; they
were amazing. Even though we didn’t win, everyone went home smiling because
we all knew that we had just come second in the world’s biggest junior football
competition against 41 girls’ teams from all over the world.
That must have been very exciting. How much did you have to
practise for the tournament?
Our regular training is two days a week, but for Gothia we practised for two hours, four
times a week. Closer to the competition, we trained for three hours, five times a week.
What’s your favourite part about playing in the JSSL leagues, and what
do you love most about your team?
I love playing on a girls’ team with such talented, lovely players; not to mention our
amazing coach, Coach Gavin, who was the reason we made it to the finals in Gothia.
I have learnt so much since I first joined, and am a completely different player now.
By Amy Greenburg
Twelve-year-old GRACE CONLAN fell in love with football four years
ago, when she was selected by her school to compete in an athletics
tournament. She volunteered to be goalkeeper, and hasn’t left the
position, or the pitch, since. Now, Grace – who names American
goalkeeper and gold-medallist, Hope Solo, as an inspiration – plays
in
JSSL Singapore’
s all-girl Super League team in the under-12
(U12) age group. We spoke to the British-born athlete about her
recent trip to the world’s largest junior football competition, what it’s
like playing football for JSSL and her passion for the sport.
Pitch
Perfect
About JSSL
With over 180 teams and more
than 1,600 children enrolled island-
wide, JSSL (Junior Soccer School
and League) Arsenal has become
the largest youth soccer league in
Singapore for both boys and girls. In
fact, a new league format kicked off
this past September, with new elite
girls’ leagues introduced for age
groups U9, U11 and U13 to compete
in the Super League against top
teams from other soccer schools.
JSSL’s Super League is made up
of the top nine competitive teams
in age groups eight to 16, while
its Championship Leagues are for
development and fun, with teams
for age groups six to 16. For more
information, visit
www.jssl-arsenal.com or call 6348 5780.
What I love most about my team
is that they are all so supportive and
friendly. We train hard, but also have lots
of fun – and if I let in a goal they don’t
blame me or get upset. We play well as
a supportive team, and that really brings
us together both on and off the pitch.
What else do you like to do for
fun?
Aside from loads and loads of football,
I love to play basketball. I’m really into
my sports, but I always love a good day
out with my friends.