KEY POINTS:
When Bridgette Armstrong runs out at North Harbour Stadium with the New Zealand under-17 women's team at the Fifa World Cup, she will write another chapter in the story of the most famed dynasty in New Zealand soccer.
While the talented 15-year-old has played warm-up matches for the
national side, stepping out at the highest level will see her follow the path already trodden by father Ron, grandfather Ken and uncle Brian in playing for New Zealand.
Her mother, Jenny, was also a more-than-useful player for Auckland. While it now seems likely the personable defender from Waitoki is set to join team captain Briony Fisher at centre-back for their opening game against Canada next Tuesday, Armstrong has had to battle the odds just to make it into the squad.
Sidelined by a stress-fracture in her foot, stitches in a knee, a broken hand and, most recently, a hip problem - she worked hard and was able eventually to convince coach Paul Temple she was fit enough for selection.
"I set my sights on making this team two or three years ago," said Armstrong after the second of the team's two training sessions yesterday. "I was out with the hip injury for three months and couldn't run. It took a while for the doctors and physios to figure out what was wrong, but I never gave up hope."
While she was out, others in the squad took their chance but, pressed by her parents, Armstrong has now been rewarded with the biggest opportunity of her blossoming career.
She says while at times she felt she might have been pushed a little too hard, she now accepts that, without their support and perseverance, she might not have won her place in the team to carry New Zealand's hopes in the tournament, which runs from October 28 to November 16. Armstrong, with Anna Fullerton, is one of two Long Bay College pupils in the team. She is also a handy volleyball player but, given her injury-prone ways, she has had to step back from the other love of her life - her horse Magic.
"It is a long time since I have been riding," said Armstrong. "But once the World Cup is over, I'm looking forward to going out on the horse."
Armstrong has a greater incentive than most to reach the quarter-finals as she turns 16 the day before New Zealand's scheduled match should they make it through to the last eight.