Tara Murray
Club Sunbury’s Sophie Kurzman was left shocked when she found out she had been named in the Pathways Jackaroos squad.
Having only made her senior state debut this season, the progression into the Australian pathways squad wasn’t on the 19-year-old’s radar just yet.
“It’s pretty awesome,” she said. “I was fairly surprised.
“I had just got back from nationals and everyone started to find out randomly. The first thing they said was that it was confidential and I couldn’t tell anyone.
“I told my mum and she had to keep it a secret. I was shocked.”
It’s been a big few years for Kurzman since taking up the sport in primary school. Out of 10 juniors recruited after a barefoot bowls day at school, she’s the only one still playing.
“This is my 11th season,” she said. “It is hard to keep the motivation to play as you miss birthdays and things like that, but I kept playing.
“I’ve been playing for Victoria since I was 14 in the under-18s. My first year in the open age out of under-18s, I didn’t make the team.
“This year I did. Open age is completely different and I was lucky enough to get player of the series against Queensland at the nationals [National Ladies Sides Championship].
“I’ll just continue to take everything as it comes.”
Kurzman said making the senior state team had been a big achievement for her, while the Pathways Jackaroos squad was massive.
She said many players had used this as their stepping stone and she hoped it could be the start of her national journey.
“I’m still learning about it,” she said. “I get a uniform that I get to wear as part of it,” she said.
“There’s a few camps with the Jackaroos and practice days. I have to keep training hard and report to the coaches.”
Originally from Ballarat, Kurzman said the move to Club Sunbury had been the best decision for her career.
Mark Cowan, who plays at Club Sunbury, has coached Kurzman at state level. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Carla Krizanic calls Sunbury home.
“Moving to play in metro Melbourne is a big step and playing at a club like Sunbury with all the positive influences around me.
“They always help me. I sent Mark a message to say I made the team and said I was grateful.
“He said he’s always there to help me. Carla is an amazing person to look up to, she’s my number one idol.”
With state duties finished for the year, Kurzman is focused on helping Club Sunbury have success.
The top side has won its first four matches.
“With the pennant I want to consistently perform week in week out,” she said. “It’s been a good start for us.”
Kurzman has her eyes on the senior Jackaroos squad.
“That’s my number one goal.”
