Bulls FC Academy’s Amber Luchtmeijer may well prove to be the signing of the season in the 2024 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition.
After a difficult season with the Blacktown Spartans in 2023, the 17-year-old made the decision to move away from the club where she had played her youth football.
It’s clearly worked out so far as the star attacker has scored 12 goals in her new colours and is currently second on the golden boot leader board, one shy of current golden boot leader Isabella Edwards (Habuda).
It was the lure of playing under coach Jamie Gomez as well as playing alongside a talented group of players that lured Luchtmeijer to Bulls FC Academy.
“I was intimidated when I first decided to make the move because they had a really good season, but I settled in really well and the girls are lovely and I’m racking up some goals, which is always fun.”
The Bulls FC number 20 thinks her teammates deserve more recognition for helping her get on the scoresheet so often.
“I feel like sometimes I get a lot of credit for the goals, but what people fail to see is that whole, it’s honestly, like, I truly mean it when I say it’s a team effort.
“I wouldn’t have scored more than half the goals without my incredible teammates.”
Luchtmeijer stated the change in scenery is exactly what she needed after a hard season last year with the Spartans.
“I loved Blacktown, I’ve been there for so long and I have so many good friends there, but with the whole relegation thing, I just didn’t want that pressure coming up.”
The Spartans were just 3 Club Championship points from relegation in 2023 with Luchtmeijer stating that the year was both stressful but incredibly motivating.
“The energy was low at the club as we were all worried about relegation but it was honestly a good push motivation wise for me.
“There were times that I knew that I would have not been able to score a goal and I did or go for a run that I did without that sort of little push to get the win in that game or to just save the club from relegation.”
Luchtmeijer got her chance to face off with her former club last Sunday where the Bulls recorded a 7-0 victory with Amber bagging a brace in the process.
“It was an important win for the side who have been inconsistent this season.
“We’ve had a few inconsistencies with coaches and stuff like that, so I feel like if we just really came together and get our confidence back.
“We can make a finals push and really get on that winning streak from here on in.”
Helping their chances is the return of some A-League Women’s stars, who Luchtmeijer is keen to play alongside.
“It’s really good to have them back. They’re lovely girls and they bring this really good energy to the squad. They’re always motivating us, and I feel like we really needed that.”
Currently a year 12 student at Model Farms High School, the 17-year-old is excited to graduate and finish her HSC so she can dedicate more time to football.
“Before I go to training, I’m always doing schoolwork or assignments wherever I can squeeze stuff in.”
Luchtmeijer would love nothing more than to carve out a professional career in football which may come sooner if her current form continues.
“I would love to play A-League one day if someone’s going to give me a chance.
“I would definitely like to make a national team appearance sometime in the next year, whether it’s for the Junior Matildas or the Young Matildas, anything of that stature would be awesome.”
-By Annabelle Banfield
