'Olympics will be highlight of my career' says Micah

Teagan Micah admitted, after arriving in Tokyo with the Australian women’s football team, it still hadn’t “sunk in” she would soon be an Olympian.

The former Redcliffe State High School student is preparing for the Matildas’ opening game of the Olympic tournament on July 21 against New Zealand.

It will be the latest stage of an 18-year sporting journey from Victoria to Japan, via the Redcliffe Peninsula, America and Norway.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper who made her Matildas’ debut last month, says the Olympic Games will “100 per cent be the highlight of my career so far”.

'Huge goal'

“That is such as achievement and has been a huge goal of mine,” said Micah, who also grew up in Redcliffe, “it’s a pinnacle of sport.

“To think I could potentially have my Olympic debut within a couple of weeks is crazy.”

However, Micah’s rise is little surprise to Todd Parker, who was Director of Redcliffe State High School’s Excellence in Women’s Football Program.

“Teagan was always seen as one for the future,” he said from NSW, where he now coaches juniors at Wollongong Wolves.

Really proud

“(At Redcliffe) we actually gave her the opportunity to play midfield and as a striker to ensure she kept her love of the game.

“I watched her Matildas’ debut (0-0 draw with Sweden last month). It was fantastic – I was really proud of Teagan.”

The 'Tillies' are in Group G of the Olympic tournament with the US, Sweden and New Zealand.

“I think we have an opportunity in Tokyo,” said Micah. “The girls have put in a lot of hard work and effort in the last few weeks.

Hard work

“We’ve had a transition camp, spent a lot of time with each other. Time to put all that hard work into effect on the field. Any way I can help the team I would consider a success.”

While in Redcliffe, Micah spent much of her time with Under 12-16 representative teams Brisbane Blue and Brisbane Central and going up to the Sunshine Coast for goalkeeper training.

She joined the Queensland Academy of Sport and then A-League clubs Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers.

Overseas, Micah had four years with UCLA Bruins in America and Norwegian clubs Arna-Bjornar Fotball and Il Sandviken, who she joined in May.

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