Central Coast junior soccer player Anika Francis is kicking massive goals in Florida, America, after being accepted into the prestigious IMG Academy last year.
Anika, 16, is now in her second semester at the academy, host of successful alumni including tennis great Serena Williams, and is looking forward to her second and final year which starts in August this year.
And while the opportunity is “out of this world” so are the fees.
Anika’s mother Megan Francis, of Davistown, is on a mission to raise the $120,000 needed for Anika to finish the year out.
The single mum has left no stone unturned in her search for grants or funding to help her daughter achieve the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“There is just no help for these kids from a grant perspective,” she said.
“Other countries like Singapore or Saudi Arabia pay for their kids, but because Anika is an individual and not a team and because she does not currently live in Australia, she does not comply with any of the rules.
“Unless you come from a rich family, talented kids can’t do this.
“What is available for these kids? Not only for Anika, but other kids who are talented but can’t afford it.
“She’s the only Aussie playing soccer there and she is absolutely thriving.
“She’s always been that kid, always so driven with whatever she did.
“We didn’t seek this out, she was scouted, and the opportunity literally landed in our lap.
“She loves the structure of the academy, training four or five hours every day.”
Anika is a striker, and aims to come back to Australia after her time at the academy to play W League for the Mariners, in overseas competitions, and hopefully one day with the Matildas.
While Francis has sold whatever she can including her car to support her daughter, she is seeking help from the local community.
She has launched a fundraising campaign on the Australian Sports Foundation site where she hopes to persuade people or small businesses to donate by foregoing one cup of coffee or tea a week, which at about $5 a week, could add up to $260 annually.
“I’m hoping to get lots of sponsors that forego one cup of coffee or tea a week,” she said.
“People can donate in one transaction or monthly.
“I am hoping there are some generous people and generous businesses out there.”
https://asf.org.au/projects/anika-francis/help-keep-anika-at-img-academy