The Macarthur Rams picked up a gem during the off-season, convincing a 19-year-old Lola Sossai out of retirement.
Sossai has been in fine form in her return to competitive football and has caught the eye in the first couple rounds of the NPL Women’s NSW competition.
But after coming through at the Football NSW Institute, Sossai decided to step away from the game for a period.
Leaving the game she loved while in the mix for junior national team selection was not easy for the teenager.
“I let football go as I was travelling to Sydney from Wollongong four times a week and I lost the passion part of the game,” Sossai said.
“It was starting to feel almost like something I ‘had’ to do rather than something I ‘wanted’ to do.
“Around the same time my name was in the list for the extended Junior Matildas team, contesting for a spot to go overseas and this was the most heart-breaking and difficult decision I have ever had to make as I knew the things I would be giving up.
“I also knew the things that I would gain; maturity, strength, clearer mind, a better understanding and time.”
While being away from the sport, Sossai took up another form of football, AFL.
“I knew when leaving football I was going to make a return at some point but I wasn’t going to sit around and do nothing, so my sister was playing AFL at the time for a really fun club and I got put into a position where I could just catch the ball, run and kick for goal,” said Sossai.
“Half of them were even kicked off the ground… I have soccer to thank for that. I enjoyed it so much, as well as the amazing people within the club.”
But Sossai is back now playing the World Game and enjoying every moment of it.
“It feels really good at the moment, I’m enjoying the game so much more than before I had the break,” said the Rams right back.
“It was almost like a reset button for me and I think also now that I’m a lot older, It feels like I am looking at the game so differently and way more clearer.”
Playing at the Rams, Sossai has the privilege of playing under the watchful eye of one of the most perspective coaches in the competition, Stephen Peters and his coaching staff.
“When coming back to football I knew that I needed something not too intense as I knew I had to be careful in terms of burning out too quickly,” Sossai said.
“Hence why I spoke with Pete Nowakowski who has been in and out of my football journey since I was 15. He is an amazing coach with a really supportive style.
“Stephen has so much knowledge and experience under his belt. He believes in every single individual that steps in front of him.
“His values and morals align with my own and a lot of the team so I think that’s a really good thing for us girls this season.”
Sossai’s return to football has seen her set some goals for herself.
“Currently, my short term goals are to grow as an individual, as a player, absorbing the environment and making sure I maintain my position in the First Grade team when the A-League Women’s players return,” Sossai said.
“I try not to put pressure on myself for long term goals as I think it’s important to stay present and be immersed in my progress.
“However, my intentions are to keep pushing myself harder and improve my game to hopefully play in the A-League in the future.”
Written by Nikola Pozder