The sky’s the limit for APIA young gun Zoe Panagopoulos

Remember the name Zoe Panagopoulos.

At only 14 years of age, Zoe has already become a regular part of APIA Leichhardt’s First Grade NPL Women’s NSW squad.

Having featured in a number of games this season, the youngster by no means looks out of place with opponents much older than her.

APIA Leichhardt General Manager Matteo Maiorana has been involved in the women’s game for over 10 years and has seen some special players come through, Zoe no doubt is amongst one of the most talented.

“Zoe is a super talent and someone who will make it, provided she’s given an opportunity to show case her ability,” Maiorana said.

“She’s a player who brings the crowd to their feet, she is left footed, has a low centre of gravity, has a great eye for a pass and plays with such incredible passion.”

Maiorana has been impressed with how she carries herself against more experienced and tougher players.

“She’s not out of her depth at all,” he said.

“She’s definitely good enough, I don’t think there is any doubt about that. It’s the physical nature of playing First Grade she needs to adapt to, but we need to remember she’s still a child and she is only 14, so that will come as she starts to mature. “

It seems as though APIA is doing something right with a plethora of talented players coming through the club’s youth ranks.

“Our 16’s girls are a special group that have been together a long time, we’ve added 1 or 2 every year to improve the squad and that side will be our First Grade team in 2 or 3 years time,” said Maiorana.

“The 18’s have some special players as well, most notably Daniela Mandile who scored five last week and already has debuted for First Grade.”

Zoe isn’t the first to come through the club’s youth ranks to make a name for herself with current Young Matilda Claudia Cicco already going through that process.

“I’m extremely pleased and very proud. Claudia Cicco was the prime example of trusting our young talent and allowing them to shine,” said the APIA GM.

“She was playing Reserve Grade at the Institute and is now playing regularly in the Liberty A-League and consistently representing the Young Matildas.

“Leah De Olivera is another one. She came to us not being able to break into First Grade and after half a season with us is about to sign a professional contract overseas.

“Our medium to long term vision is to have a Home-Grown First Grade squad.

“We still have 33 players in our program who were here when our GSAP started 7 years ago. That’s how you build a culture and by providing those opportunities for our talented players, they remain invested in the project both short and long term.

“People forget that we’ve only been a top tier NPL Women’s NSW club for five years.”

Back to Zoe and the youngster dedicates a lot of her development to APIA.

“During my time at APIA I’ve experienced tremendous growth, largely thanks to the unwavering support and belief from individuals like Matteo and Brad,

“Matteo recognised my potential at a young age and stayed in touch with my dad. He’s generously involved me in Seniors since the beginning of the season and Brad has high expectations of me as well.

“Moreover, the supportive environment fostered by my parents, Matteo, and fellow teammates, particularly the players in the first-grade squad, has been instrumental in nurturing my progress.”

Zoe spoke about her first time running into the pitch in an official NPL Women’s NSW competition game.

“My First Grade debut was like a dream come true. I can’t really explain my feelings as there were so many, but I know that the feeling of achievement, joy, pride and nervousness did overwhelm me the most.

“With the help of Matteo and Brad supporting me in training sessions, I was able to achieve this goal in a comfortable environment. But, stepping out onto the grass for the first time to play with the First Grade team was exhilarating.

“The butterflies in my stomach and the excitement of finally achieving my debut were unforgettable.”

Not long after that debut, Zoe had her first ever First Grade goal.

“I think it was my fifth time being out on the field with the first grade, I was on the bench for most of the game, not really expecting to go on,” Zoe recounts.

“But in the 80th minute Brad called for me to start warming up. The team was doing really well, In the moment I remember the defender heading the ball just outside the box, I took a touch to the left, there was a defender behind me and one running towards me, I was thinking ‘Shoot, just shoot!’, the ball flew in.

“At that moment, for me it felt as if everything had stopped when that ball was going into the net. It was unreal. I looked around and saw all the girls running towards me.

“It was the feeling of accomplishment that made me really happy.”

There is a lot of experience in and around the APIA squad, things that will most definitely help in Zoe’s development.

“Playing with highly skilled A-League Women’s players is an incredible experience,” Zoe said.

“The intensity they bring to the field is top level, they have enabled me to develop my football training and playing. Being surrounded by quality players motivate me to elevate my own game and strive for excellence.”

Zoe is not getting ahead of herself and just wants to play the game she loves.

“As a 14-year-old, playing football is the only thing I want to do now and in the future. This year I want to achieve many things, I want to continue to score many more goals for the club.

“I want to continue to develop my game and improve my mental and physical strength. In the future, I want to represent Australia in the national squad and maybe be a Matilda one day.”

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By Nikola Pozder.