By Greg Danvers
Bill Turner School Football – National Media Manager
FAITH Stephenson moved from Mary Mackillop College this year to the Kelvin Grove State College for their football excellence program.
The change of school and into a top quality football program has paid big dividends to date and could get even better next month for the 15-year-old defender.
Kelvin Grove Bill Turner Trophy team, lead by captain Faith (Pictured left), won the Queensland Finals Series at AJ Kelly Field, Kippa Ring last week.
The Bill Turner Trophy, now in its 28th year, is for students aged 15-years-and-under with 400 schools entered in 2018 from Cairns in the north to Melbourne in the south and through all regions of NSW.
Kelvin Grove came from behind in their semi-final to equalise with and then beat Chancellor State College on penalties to advance to Wednesday’s Final.
in the final against Helensvale State College, Sofia Jaramillo broke the 1-all extra time deadlock with a match winning strike with just on 10seconds remaining before another penalty shoot-out to decide the winner.
Faith will now lead her Kelvin Grove State College team to the City of Lake Macquarie for the National Finals Series early next month.
“I appointed Faith as captain as i can see that the girls look up to her as she leads by example on the pitch,” said Kelvin Grove coach Jason Tobin.
“Faith is a quiet and humble girl who lets her leadership shine through her footballing ability, she has brought to the squad calmness and experience.”
“Faith is one of the senior girls in the team and when on the ball we are always a threat.”
Outside of school Faith plays for The Gap Gorillas in their under-15 NPL team and somehow finds to time to turn out for Brisbane Roar under-17 team.
“Since Faith came to Kelvin Grove State College she made the under-15 Queensland School Girls football team which travelled to Sydney in July.”
Faith’s future in the game is unbounded and playing in the National Finals may well see the teenager identified for higher honours.
“The level of skill has risen to the next level,” Faith Stephen said after Kelvin Grove’s win over Helensvale.
“Over the last couple of days the tournament has been outstanding, and now we are going to Lake Macquarie (for the national finals).
“That will be that little bit harder, we are going to rise to that level and have so much fun.”
Kelvin Grove State College will play either Marian Catholic College (Griffith, NSW) or Holy Spirit College (Bellambi, NSW) in the first semi final on Tuesday September 4 at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility at Speers Point, NSW.
The Bill Turner Trophy Final is played the following day at the same venue.
Kelvin Grove Details at the Queensland Finals Series:
Final: Kelvin Grove State College 2 (Holly Cawthorn 41m, Sofia Jaramillo 80m Golden Goal) beat Helensvale State High 1 (Lily Rae 2m).
Semi-Final: Kelvin Grove State College 2 (Sofia Jaramillo 14minute, 45m) 5 penalties beat Chancellor State College 2 (Mackenzie Brown 38minute, Lanni McDougall 43m) 3 pens.
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