Personal Statement
To whom it may concern,
I am writing this personal statement to express my deep passion for football and the remarkable journey it has taken me on. From the early age of 2, I discovered my fascination with the sport, and at the age of 4, I joined my first club in Hanoi Vietnam, marking the beginning of my football career.
Whilst in Hanoi, I also engaged in ballet and taekwondo, improving my balance and adding a diverse set of skills to my repertoire.
My family then moved back to Hamburg and I continued to play football. In 2015, I proudly achieved the title of German champion in the youth football league in Germany with my Team SC Poppenbüttel as vice captain, showcasing my dedication and talent. At the age of 10 I attained 8th place in the all Hamburg track and field youth competition in my age group with a long throw of 48 meters, displaying my commitment and drive for excellence not only in football, but also in all kinds of other sports. While football remained my primary focus, I also dedicated five years to playing hockey, and my skills eventually earned me a spot on the German youth selection team. In 2016, I embraced a unique opportunity to showcase my abilities in both hockey and football for The “Hamburger Auswahl” which is a country wide selection process for talented youth players.
Due to changes in my family’s work commitments I moved to shanghai. While I wasn’t able to pursue the training opportunities in Hamburg I took greater responsibility’s for my career choices in shanghai and joined a football club named Ebbe sand and continued to play football, selecting teams based on the quality of coaching. I continued my cross training with Tennis the reason for tennis was I started playing in Hanoi, continued with summer training in Hamburg and landed with the unique opportunity to live and train at the shanghai Racquet Club. Whilst at Shanghai Racquet Club I attained the Gold level status. Playing tennis also furthered my ball eye coordination and general fitness.
Although I have a very busy schedule, I dedicate six days a week to football training, demonstrating my commitment to improvement and growth, competing in my age group, as well as U18 and the ASAS adult league.
As a midfielder, I possess a strong football IQ and a comprehensive understanding of the game. These qualities enable me to contribute effectively to the team, analyzing the field and making strategic decisions.
Being named Most Valuable Player for the 2022/23 Shanghai ASAS Adult League, I find to be an incredible achievement. To be given this recognition of my development, skills and performance, from my adult peers in the league is amazing, unsolicited feedback. These experiences have not only shaped my skills as a footballer, they have also enriched my character, on and off the pitch.
Leadership has also always been a part of my character, as demonstrated by my role as captain and vice-captain in four different teams. Additionally, I have actively participated as a class representative from the 4th to the 10th grade, representing the opinions of my class mates in school.
Through various experiences, I discovered that my true passion lay in football. It has been a source of immense joy for me, pushing me to continually strive for excellence and give the absolute most to the team. Beyond my personal pursuit, I find gratification in assisting coaches and others in enjoying the benefits of sports.
Whilst my academic performance has always been better than average, my best subjects have always been English, history and sports, at the German International school in shanghai and I have taken every opportunity to assist my class mates with their academic and physical performance any time they have asked.
Traveling has been a transformative aspect of my life, fostering adaptability and an open-minded approach. Engaging with diverse cultures and forming connections with people from different backgrounds has made me a highly sociable individual, capable of building meaningful relationships.
Extensively traveling across various countries has heavily influenced my adaptability and broadened my worldview. Proudly having dual citizenship, holding both Australian and German Passports, has further reinforced my global perspective.
Looking towards the future, my goal is to attain the academic excellence necessary to pursue my ambitions while simultaneously nurturing my love for football. Along this journey, I have faced and overcome numerous setbacks, with a significant knee injury being one of the most challenging. I have also encountered the harsh reality of bullying during my time with the Chinese professional club, Shanghai Shenhua, which compelled me to seek a more positive environment for my growth which I found at the FD Football Academy.
In conclusion, my passion for football has driven me to overcome obstacles, seek personal growth, and embrace and overcome diverse experiences and adversities. I am confident that my dedication, adaptability, leadership, and deep-rooted love for the sport makes me an ideal candidate for college football.
