Western Springs talks to centre back Briony Fisher about her journey over the past 10 months. "Brie" has lived an extremely satisfying year as far as football goes. In December 2006 she was selected for the Soccer2 U16 Girls Team at the National ID Tournament, it was there she made her first impact on coach Paul Temple. From that tournament she was not originally selected for the NZ U17 Development Squad but instead made a decision to join Western Springs and push for a place in the premier team, after half a season with the development team her performances warranted a trial with the national youth team.

In July 2007 Briony attended a Young Football Ferns training camp for the first time and the rest as they say is history, just six months on and Briony was named captain of the NZ U17 Team in the Future Stars Tournament.

Coach Temple explains Brie's progress. "Brie got her opportunity in July for just a few days and she took it, she made a good impression on everyone both on and off the pitch and we invited her back in September, when she returned she was the fittest and strongest player in the squad which shows how hard she worked for it, it's a good message to all young players that if you want something and your prepared to work for it then anything is possible."

"She has the raw materials to be a really good player, you can teach technique and tactics but you can't teach desire, Brie has bags of it and thats important if she is going to achieve her goals. Although she is developing a reputation for wearing her heart on her sleeve, there is more to her than that, she is still young and has areas to improve but I'm confident she'll work hard to get better everyday, she has great potential." says Temple.

Q. Firstly tell us a little bit about yourself and why your playing at Western Springs?

A. I was born in Sussex, England and moved to Auckland when I was 12. I have always loved football and have been playing from the age of 7. Springs offers a great environment and I am surrounded by lots of experienced and talented players. These things will help me grow and improve as a player.

Q. Let's talk about your rapid rise in 2007, what were your goals when you started pre-season with the Springs development team?

A. At that stage not being involved with the U17s, my goal was always to keep pushing myself in the hope that I would get game time for the premier team.

Q. When you got the opportunity to come into the U17 Team in July, what was that like?

A. I was excited, nervous and didn't really know what to expect. I knew the other players would be good and wasn't sure how I would measure up to them, but I knew it was such an amazing opportunity that I couldn't let pass by. The first time I was involved in the U17 team in the july camp I was amazed at the talent and the intensity at training's. That camp gave made me look at soccer a different way, I started making goals and creating dreams and I was so excited to try make them become reality.



Q. Six months on from that, you made your International debut against Korea can you describe those emotions?

A. The emotions I felt were indescribable. Standing and singing the national anthem for the first time is something I will never forget. The amount of pride and passion that filled me can not be expressed with words. looking back at all the hard work, all the long runs and hours of training's I did. The feelings that I experienced made me realise that it was all worthwhile because I knew that my goals were coming true.

Q. A month later you're the captain of the New Zealand Team playing against Germany, USA and Australia, what was that experience like?

A. Alot of pressure comes with being named captain, especially for an international team, but I love being a leader both on and off the pitch. I was so proud to lead the girls on to the field. Before I was named captain I considered myself a leader even without the armband, but looking down during the games and seeing the armband and knowing that I'm captaining my country against the best teams in the world is an amazing experience.

Q. What were the key lessons you learnt from the Future Stars Tournament?

A. I have to raise the bar both physically and tactically. I need to stay 100% focused for the full 90 minutes because at international level one lapse of concentration can cause a goal.

Q. What did you do between July and January to get to where you are now?

A. I knew that if I wanted to compete at international level I had to get extremly fit and i was determined to... so I ran! Fitness was a key aspect of my game that I needed to improve on. Working on my fitness has played a major part of getting me to where I am at the moment.

Q. So the season is just starting, you've got six caps for your country and a massive year ahead of you, what are your goals for 2008?

A. My main assperation is to captain the NZ U17 team at the world cup in october. The U20 world cup is another amazing opportunity and I will do everything I can to be apart of that team.



Q. What would like to achieve in football long term?

A. To represent New Zealand in the senior womens team, and my ultimate dream is to play professionally.

Q. Who are your idols and mentors?

A. One of my mentors would have to be Ria Percival, she is a good friend who has lots of amazing experiences and always has important advice to help me improve as a player. Ria has also really helped me mentally which has certainly has played a role to help me get me to where I am today.

Q. Finally what advice would you give young players at the club reading this?

A. The pain of regret is far worse then the pain of pushing yourself!
remember this and you will succeed.