Playing at the highest level is something special, no matter what the sport is, and there's not often much that can top the feeling of being one of the best in your chosen field.
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One thing which can make the already special experience that bit better is getting to share it with someone.
That's what makes both Aimee Longhurst and Amy Moore so excited for next week.
The Dubbo duo will team up and be part of the NSW Country under 14s side which contests the Westfield National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour.
"It makes it so much better," Moore said of getting to play with her friend.
"It's just so much less pressure."
The pair of 14-year-olds have both enjoyed bumper seasons already, with a stack of representative matches already under the belt.
The level of high intensity football we'll get up there will be great.
- Aimee Longhurst
Next week will be another step up, as they take on the best junior talent Australia has to offer.
The NSW Country side will play five matches against pool B rivals before a potential meeting with the likes of fierce rivals NSW Metro at finals time.
"I feel like we've got a good chance with our team," Longhurst said.
"We've got the opportunity to win pool B.
"The level of high intensity football we'll get up there will be great."
It's been a long road to the championships, with numerous training camps and games used as selection criteria before the final squad was named.
But the pair of Western representatives impressed and will now both be key to the Country side's hopes on the north coast.
"It's a good opportunity for us, especially at such a young age," Moore said, before saying how appreciate she was of all the support.
"I thank my mum and dad so much just for taking me everywhere for training at Sydney and all over."
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Longhurst added she was the same, with a huge amount of commitment needed from her family as well as she continues to chase her dream.
While just helping NSW Country advance is the main goal at Coffs Harbour, the championships are the pathway towards potential junior Matildas selection.
That's a road fellow Central West talents like Ellie Carpenter, a current Matildas player, has done before them.
And when listening to one describe the other's talents, you might just think the two Dubbo juniors are headed to the top.
"The way she controls the ball and the midfield, and basically the whole field," Moore said of how Longhurst impresses her.
"She's basically the star one on the field and she controls the game."
Longhurst had an equal amount of praise for Moore.
"Amy controls things up front," she said.
"She puts that effort in, for sure. She might be small but she's got it in her and she gets through them no problem at all."
The championships run from next Monday to Friday at Coffs Harbour.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
