Manningham Blues senior women’s player Susan Sohar always wanted to be a football player, however, her journey has been different than most.
Sohar grew up in Adelaide and was determined to follow in her father’s footsteps by playing the world’s game.
“I always saw him playing from a young age and I knew I wanted to play too,” she explained.
“For me, it was just being inspired by my dad and I wanted to learn how I could be a professional soccer player.”
After trying to figure out what it takes to become a professional footballer, she found videos of players juggling and thought she would give it a go.
“I thought to be a good football player I need to have good ball control so I got into juggling which is football freestyle,” Sohar said.
“It’s kind of funny because then I didn’t really become a soccer player at all, I became a football freestyler for a little bit and then I came back to soccer and started my journey to becoming a soccer player again.”
When Sohar first started playing football in her primary school years and continued to with her classmates when she moved to Norwood Morialta High School. At Club level, she played for Ingle Farm Junior Soccer Club in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, where she was forced to overcome a barrier faced by many young players.
“I had to play with boys, I was the only female in the entire club,” she said.
“I really tried my best to prove myself, it was hard, but it made me the player I am today.
I played for Para Hills United Soccer Club where I trialed for Adelaide United twice but I tore my ACL and stopped playing for four years.”
Sohar moved to Melbourne to continue her career and studies as a filmmaker and soon realised she belonged back on the pitch and found a new home and Manningham United Blues.
“I was like I really love soccer, why did I give it up, so I went back to playing soccer again,” she recalled.
“Manningham was the first club I joined in Victoria, I kind of fell into the club.
“I was trying different clubs in my area to see what fit and the coach at Manningham liked what I could do and he was really friendly.
“I got to know and really liked the team; the club has a really good female football program.
“I love playing with the girls, we have such a close bond, and the coaching at a really high quality too.”
Whether you’re looking to follow in Susan’s footsteps and play competitively, or just trying to enjoy some social football head to www.playfootball.com.au to find a program that suits you.
“To play football you can come from all walks of life and there are different levels you can join from social to competitive and national leagues," Sohar concluded.
“I feel you can join at whatever your skill type and level is, if you want to play just go out there and find what is closest to you a club or social league, and just give it a go and see if you like it."