Minnesota Region II ODP player Amber Paul journals from Holland for Inside Minnesota Soccer
Amber Paul is a U-16 Minnesota Thunder Academy player who found success in soccer at an early age. Amber’s father, Mark Paul, says even though she has had success, it doesn’t mean she hasn’t worked hard for it. “She has always put a lot of effort into it,” said Amber’s father. “I don’t think she has ever taken it for granted.”
Amber developed her skills with Bangu but had been playing soccer since she was five. All those years of practice and games are paying off for the Rogers High School Sophomore as she was recognized by the Region II coaching staff and was held over at her ODP camp this summer to compete for a spot on the Region II ODP team. This eventually led to being invited to compete in Boca Raton, Florida at the Interregionals in December.
Amber learned in early January that she had been invited to travel with the Region II team to play international soccer in Holland. This will be Amber’s first time playing international soccer.
Mark Paul reflected on the moment his daughter came to him to share the news. “Amber was very excited and had a huge smile on her face. I told her that she’s a hard worker and it is all paying off. I also explained that a wonderful door has opened and with that opportunity would require more responsibility, more balancing, and more organization than ever before.”
Mark Paul went on to say, “She has had some incredible coaches throughout the years that have pushed her mentally and physically to be become who she is today. I can’t say enough about the impact that coaches play in the lives of young athletes and I will be forever grateful for their help and passion for the game. Her current (MTA) coaches, Eric Singer and Andy Kassa, have raised the bar even higher and given her the tools to hit that bar.”
The Region II team coach for the trip will be Lang Wedemeyer, Head Coach, South Dakota State University. Miriam Hickey is the assistant coach.
Amber Paul and her region II teammates left for Holland on Saturday morning. Amber plans on updating us with her reports starting early this week. Watch for Amber’s reports here on Inside Minnesota Soccer.
Read Amber’s journal:
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