Amanda Walford is a senior at Wesley Chapel High school and is soon to be a freshman at  Pasco Hernando State College. After years of giving her all on the soccer field, her hard work finally paid off as she signed with Pasco Hernando Sate College on February 1. Although Amanda is experiencing great success now, she truly had to prove herself to be recognized by her coaches and her peers.

After watching her brother play soccer she decided she would give it a try. At 4 years old Amanda started kicking the soccer ball around and began to play. As the years passed, she continued to play the game, that she eventually fell in love with.  This love of the sport also made her realize that she had potential to take this to the next level and really do something with her abilities.

However, the journey was not an easy one. Walford recalls that during the earlier stages of her soccer career, she was ignored and overlooked by a former coach. Although this was difficult, she was able to learn form it. She explained, ” experiences like these helped me to become a more dedicated player.” Walford’s dedication and effort paid off.

After this negative experience, she turned things around under a new coach. Her new coach believed in her and with her new found encouragement she worked even harder. She studied, practiced and pushed herself to master skills, and become a better player. She was truly dedicated. As a result, of the right support, time, practice and drive she improved immensely.  Ironically, Amanda had improved so much that her previous coach wanted to take her back.

Unlike most players, Amanda never participated in club sports. Most of her practicing was done at home or on the school soccer team. Since Walford never joined a club, she had to work 1o times as hard as everyone else. “I would hang around after practice and pass with my coaches”. Walford was extremely hard working and willing to do whatever it took to get better at soccer. Walford’s coaches were very supportive and were willing to help her put in the work.

However, even with all of her hard work and commitment, she didn’t  receive much playing time on the field as a freshman or sophomore. For most athletes, even professional athletes, this would be devastating but not for Amanda. In fact,  Walford elaborated that not playing a lot  was not an issue for her. During her time off the field, she was able to work on her own skills and observe the other girls on the field.  She watched plays on the field, studied other plays, and used this time to prepare for her opportunity.

Due to the mutual commitment of both Amanda and her coaches, Walford was able to play varsity soccer at Wesley Chapel High school during her junior and senior year. During this time, she honed her skills as a player, teammate, leader and inspiration to those around her, while remaining academically successful.

Her dedication to her sport finally paid off when her coach offered her a deal to play for Pasco Hernando. At first she was shocked by the offer. She never imagined that she would get an offer since she never played a club sport.  “I was so surprised by the offer,” she continued, “it is an amazing and rewarding experience.”

“A lot of players don’t even go to the college level so I’m very proud of myself”.

What started off as a thought from a little 4 year old girl now turned into an opportunity that she never thought she would have. Her family has been very supportive through her career and is extremely proud of her. They were surprised and excited for her and are willing to support her through any of her upcoming decisions. Pasco Hernando is only a two year college so Walford’s plan is to get her AA and transfer to a university where she hopes she can further pursue he soccer career.

Walford contributes most of her success to her current coach Mark Leonard and well as her mother. Both were very influential people in her life and have helped her to become who she is now. With Coach Leonard giving her this opportunity and her mother as a guide, Amanda Walford is sure to make it big.