Lexus Jones had never played futsal before she was chosen for the NSW South indoor futsal side.
And now she’s off to the UK to represent her country.
Jones is one of 20 girls selected to represent Australia next April thanks to her efforts at the national titles in September.
The 13-year-old from Kirrawee is a goalkeeper in both the full and modified versions of the game.
Futsal is a fast and skillful form of football played with five players per side on a smaller, usually indoor, pitch.
An avid outdoor player since she was 5-years-old formerly with Caringbah Redbacks and now with Gymea United, Jones was originally chosen for NSW on her skills shown in the outdoor version of the game.
Her Gymea age side made the semi-finals this season, falling one game short of the grand final.
Jones returned from Brisbane and signed up to play futsal at club level for the first time with the Sutherland Sharks, with their first match of the season last weekend.
Not only did she turn out for her under-13s side but Jones received the call to back up and play with both the under-15s and 16s as well.
Jones’ mum, Sheldon, said her daughter’s national call up was wonderful, if slightly unexpected.
“When I got the email I cried,” she said.
“I said to her I didn’t realise she was that good. We’re so happy for her.”
The family have set up a Go Fund Me page to help get Lexus to the UK. Anyone interested in donating can do so at the link here.