DMS student selected to play on national soccer team

Avery Batson, a 14-year-old Discovery Middle School, student has been selected to play on an international soccer team.

Batson

Batson has been added to the roster to attend the US National U14 Soccer team camp. The team is comprised of 48 of the top players in the country chosen by US National Scouts throughout the year at national training centers or the from the Olympic Development Program.

“I was thrilled,” Batson said. “I’ve been playing soccer here since I was 5 when I played for AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) and have always dreamed of playing in the Olympics one day. This is a huge step for me to realize my dreams.”

Batson said she can “hardly think of anything else” ever since she found out she had been selected. She doesn’t slack off on her academic requirements. She said she maintains all A’s, is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, SADD and volunteers with Topscocer for children with disabilities.

Batson will leave for camp May 27 until June 3.

“I’ve been training with my skills coach Norbert Webley twice a week,”

Batson said. “He’s the best skills coach there is. I also go to practice with my Coach Henry Mpagi at Huntsville Futbol Club.”

She said she travels to Birmingham at least once a week to train with the Birmingham United Soccer Association.

“We are extremely proud of her,” said Batson’s father, Paul. “She loves soccer and has always put in a lot of effort to reach her goals.” We just hope and pray she continues to love playing and we want to thank everyone on her teams, friends, family and our community who has supported her.”

After the May session, there is one in August and September, where the roster will then be cut down to 36 players As long as players maintain high performance, they can advance to the U15, U17, U18, U20 and U23 national teams to eventually compete in the FIFA World Cup and Olympics.