OCEAN GROVE resident Renee Zebic is making waves of the Soccer kind, writes Mark Heenan.
The former Surfside Waves junior has been selected to play in the Victorian Under 17 Girls State Squad at the 2010 FFA National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour next month.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for the gifted 16-year-old, who plays with Box Hill in the Women’s Premier League, following a serious knee setback after a tragic pre-season training mishap in South Melbourne in 2009.
Renee subsequently required a full knee reconstruction and was not able to run or touch a soccer ball for more than six months.
Fast forward to April 2010, the teenage star is back with a vengeance and is currently playing an integral role as right midfield for Box Hill.
“I had the whole year off last year because I had a full knee reconstruction, so I missed out last year in trying for state representation,” Renee said.
“So coming back this year just being able to play soccer with my knee being alright was awesome, but then making state squad was amazing.”
When not playing soccer, the committed teenage star is busy commuting on the train between Geelong and Melbourne, sometimes up to four times a week.
“I spend way too much time on trains, it is ridiculous,” she laughs.
Her desire to play in the best possible league and willingness to travel is seen as one of Renee’s best traits.
In 2008, Renee travelled to Brazil as part of a training camp with her former club Doncaster.
Surfside Waves Soccer Club president Mark Rapa said the entire Ocean Grove soccer community should be proud of Renee’s on-field achievements.
Rapa, an assistant coach of the Geelong Under 14 team, coaches Renee’s younger brother Ben, 12, at Geelong.
“I first came across Renee at aged 12,” Zapa said.
“She was the first person down at training and she always had a soccer ball at her feet.
“Her skill level was exceptional at an early age.”
Renee harbours ambitions to pull on the green and the gold guernsey in the future and has an instant role model in Melissa Barbieri, the Matildas’ captain and Australian goalkeeper.
Renee is also a teammate of Barbieri at Box Hill.
“She (Melissa Barbieri) is awesome to listen to and has been great for my career,” she said.
Renee is prepared to endure some sleepless nights ahead in front of the couch, as the Men’s team the Socceroos do battle at the World Cup in South Africa.
While she prefers to support the Socceroos, her mother’s Italian origins means Renee will keep a close eye on Italy’s progress.
Italy won the FIFA World Cup in 2006 in Germany.
Unfortunately her father’s origins won’t be represented as Croatia failed to qualify for the World’s biggest showpiece sporting event.
“My mum always goes for Italy, well Croatia didn’t make this year so that problem is solved, and there is Australia,” Renee said.
Outside of Soccer, Renee is a Year 11 student at Bellarine Secondary College and is keen to pursue a career as a Physical Education teacher.
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