Oliver Lees
Despite having to uproot her life to start her professional career, teenage soccer sensation Avaani Prakash is thriving in her first season at Western United in the A-League Women’s competition.
Prakash became the youngest debutant in Western United’s history in November, adding another item to her already impressive young career.
The 17-year-old has since featured in 10 A-League Women’s matches for Western United who currently sit on top of the table.
Prakash, who describes her greatest strength as her on-ball dribbling, was scooped up from Macarthur’s academy program after demonstrating her skill as an attacking midfielder.
She said playing professionally had always been an ambition of hers.
“My brother and my dad played football and I always enjoyed having a ball at my feet,” she said. “All I wanted to do was play sports.
“I’ve been pretty happy with my first A-League season, I’m learning a lot from the club and the other players.”
But her ascent to the top of Australian women’s domestic football didn’t come without sacrifice.
When the offer came from Western United, Prakash, then 16-years-old, left her childhood home in Sydney and relocated to Tarneit.
Her demanding football schedule has forced changes to her education as well, as she now completes all of her schooling via a distance online learning system.
She said these major changes made it difficult to settle into her new life.
“I definitely think [online learning is] a lot harder, at the start I struggled a lot,” she said.
“We have web lessons every week and I don’t really know who my classmates are; some are athletes, some from rural areas.
“It was a bit hard to leave Sydney but I really wanted to play A-League so moving down was an easy decision, and I have had good support and teachers around me.”
Western United has proven itself as the in-form team of the competition so far this season, currently sitting one point clear of Melbourne City at the top of the table.
If Western United is to go one better than its grand final defeat last season, it will be the club’s first A-League Women’s championship.
Prakash’s meteoric rise also earned her a scholarship to participate in the Future Matilda’s program, as well as representative opportunities for the under-18’s and under-20’s Australian teams.
In 2022, she participated in the teams that took out the Pacific Women’s Four Nations Tournament and the AASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship.
Prakash also had a hand in bringing the historic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to Australia and New Zealand, as she was chosen as an ambassador by Football Australia in the bidding process.
She said contributing and spectating the tournament was a memorable experience.
“I was there from the start, it was very exciting,” she said.
“I went to a few games that were in Sydney, it was really good to see a lot of boys and girls supporting the game.
“Obviously I want to play for the Matildas, but I think for now I’m really just hoping we win the premiership and the championship.”
On Sunday, United makes its home debut in Tarneit.
Prakash said before the game it was a pretty special feeling.
“I’m extremely excited to play at our new home on Sunday, in my own neighbourhood in front of my new home community in Tarneit,” she said.
“My parents take me to the games, so they are probably the happiest that it is only a five-minute drive. I have loved calling Tarneit home and I can’t wait to see all the locals come out to support us.
“The whole team is looking forward to Sunday and to starting to make Tarneit a green and black fortress to really build a home ground advantage.”
