Public Safety

13-year-old plans to play in her 2nd international soccer event

Feb 18, 2023

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thumbnail_IMG_8271 — Amaya Green (right) plays as a defensive player in a high school girls varsity soccer game with Heritage Academy, against Glenview Preparatory High School. [submitted]

A 13-year-old student at Heritage Academy wants to play soccer professionally one day, and the idea might not be as far-fetched as one might imagine.

Green trains at the Real Madrid Training facility. [submitted]

Amaya Green attended a camp run by the Real Madrid Foundation in Scottsdale last summer. Afterward, she received an emailed offer to travel to Madrid last November to attend The First Female Training Experience, according to Amaya’s mother, Alana Green.

“They had never done it before,” Alana Green said. “It was even the first time females were allowed on the Real Madrid male stadium field. It was a big deal.”

The teenager spent 12 days in Spain, attending 10 training sessions and playing in five international games, winning the first four and tying the fifth. Green was named captain of her team, her mother said.

“They work with each other very well, and the coaches were amazing,” Amaya said.

Amaya, who has lived in Maricopa since she was 6, began playing in New York when she was 4. She has played in Maricopa Recreation Youth Soccer and for local soccer clubs.

Amaya Green, Captain of her team for her first international game in Real Madrid Spain. [submitted]

After her experience in Spain in November, Amaya received another opportunity to travel internationally to play the sport. She was asked to participate in the Donosti Cup, in San Sebastian, Spain, June 30 to July 10. She will represent Avanza in an international cup.

“I am really excited, now that we are going to go against other countries,” Amaya said. “It is going to be scarier, but I feel like it will be a lot more exciting and fun.”