August Newsletter

Young Football Fern profile: Victoria Esson

For the next three months Victoria Esson will not only have her football to focus on but will also learn what it means to homeschool herself. The 17-year-old recently moved from Christchurch to Auckland in order to train with the Young Football Ferns and has elected not to transfer schools since she would lose too many NCEA credits.

While most teenagers would find it hard working with no supervision, Victoria has enough self-discipline to study everyday from 9:00am to 3:00pm at Takapuna Library.

“Homeschooling isn't too bad, but it’s very different to a classroom situation,” says the youngest of three siblings. “In some ways it’s easier as there is no one around to distract me, but I also find it hard not having a teacher at hand.”

Victoria studies on her own for three weeks then every fourth week travels to Christchurch where she sits internal exams at Burnside High School.

With the same discipline she applies to her schoolwork, she also puts hours into her football and has subsequently enjoyed a great deal of success.

Victoria was first brought into the Young Football Ferns’ squad in 2005 as a centre back but last November made the challenging switch to goal keeper.

During the Canberra tour in April this year she had her first start in goal in the second match against Australia’s U-17 team and the Kiwis secured a 4-0 victory.

“In Australia I trained twice a day for two weeks with Dave and that was key for my development,” she says. “Then I went back to Christchurch and didn’t get as much one on one training so I knew it was important for me to move to Auckland.”

Although it’s a fairly new position for Victoria, she had success as an ice hockey goal keeper and believes that has helped.

“Learning to cut off angles as a goal keeper is similar in football as it is in ice hockey and I definitely have that natural instinct to save goals," she says.

"But at the same time football is very different – especially in terms of technique – and that’s where I’ve had to work closely with Dave.”

New Zealand coach Paul Temple believes the years she spent playing in defense also helped her make a smooth transition to goal keeper.

“Her experience as a centre back enables her to be composed on the ball, her kicking is great and she sweeps behind the backline really well,” he says.  

“Handling, diving and shot stopping are constantly improving and she has a bright future as a keeper.”

Paul is not only impressed with her work on the field but also her attitude off it. He says she always has a positive outlook, is very dedicated to everything she does and is thoughtful and reliable. 

“Everyone in the team likes Vic and gets on well with her. She is someone people talk to about things as she gives sensible advice and gets things done.”

Just as Victoria supports her teammates, they have also supported her by providing her with a place to stay in Auckland. She has been living with Young Fern midfielder Lauren Mathis and will soon move in with good friend Megan Shea who has also come up from Christchurch and is staying with family.

The two Cantabrians, along with many of the other Young Ferns who have moved away from home, know the sacrifices they’re making now will all be worthwhile if they lead to success at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.