The 18 year old from One Mile hopes to combine her passion for soccer with her studies after securing a scholarship at the prestigious Bethany College in Wichita, Kansas, in the USA.

Smith has been offered a four-year student/athlete scholarship to start in August this year.

The gifted youngster completed her 2018 Tomaree High studies with a terrific pass in the HSC, and is eager to study exercise science in the US while trying to realise a sporting dream.

“I was invited by a student scouting program last year with a group of other young soccer players to attend a series of training and trial matches at Speers Point,” said Smith.

“It was fantastic news to hear that I had won the scholarship. I have visited the US a couple of times before to visit relatives, but this is a new adventure and a totally different opportunity for me. I am looking froward to the experience of working with professional soccer players, the travel and forming new friendships.”

The journey has not been all smooth sailing for Smith, who first pulled on a football jumper in the Nelson Bay junior colours at the age of 10.

She has endured a number of injury setbacks, including three knee operations, the first at age 11.

“I have done my ACL three times playing either soccer or touch, but I am hoping that I have got it right now. It does set you back but I am fortunate to have wonderful parents, who have supported me every step of the way,” she said.

“They have been big influences on [my development], as for soccer coaching I can’t go past my very first coach, Kevin Gattenhof from Tomaree High School. He was an inspiration and a great mentor.”

As a youngster, Erin Smith had enjoyed playing touch footy and athletics but it was soccer under the tutelage of Gattenhof which ultimately became a passion and focus in her developing years.

“Playing as a centre midfield allowed me to both set up goals and score them and over the years I have learned how to better read a game.” 

Smith said that playing at Premier League level in the under 16 and under 18 years age groups had provided her with a closer insight into the game as played by those at the elite level. 

“I have played with and against some of the girls from the Jets squad and it has opened my eyes at the standard I need to be to progress my game. My immediate goals are to keep learning and see where that takes me,” she said.

“The US experience will hopefully give me the best of both worlds – to continue playing the sport I love and to do a degree in an area I am passionate about.”