Joel Sommerfeld … heading off to Midland University in the United States

May 29, 2013

Soccer has scored a goal for Murgon teenager Joel Sommerfeld … he’s packing his bags and heading to the United States courtesy of a sports scholarship from an American university.

Joel, 18, will be swapping his Barambah jersey for a Midland Warriors strip, and the relatively balmy Queensland weather for the ice and snow of Nebraska.

The former Murgon State High School student was offered a trial in Toowoomba last year by the National Scouting Report program, and then called back for an interview.

“He had to supply all his school grades; then he received an offer to join the program,” his proud mother Veronica told southburnett.com.au.

“NSR promoted Joel to universities across America and he received an offer from Midland Uni in Fremont, Nebraska.”

Along with the opportunity of playing competitive college soccer in the United States, Joel will also be able to complete a four-year degree in sports and exercise science, graduating at the end with a Bachelor degree.

He will be leaving Australia on July 18 and commences full-time training on August 2; his uni studies will begin about a fortnight later.

Joel said he expects to be playing two soccer games a week in the uni’s local college competition, combining daily training with his tertiary studies.

And his eventual goal? He wouldn’t say no to a career as a professional soccer player, but if that doesn’t work out, he will have the qualifications under his belt to work with a sports club.