‘I’m not just a pretty face’

Ani Hagopian is a 17-year-old girl, striving to follow a career in soccer.

Hailing from Syria, Ani and her family came to South Africa as refugees in 2012 to escape the war-ridden country.

“We had to leave everything behind: our home, our belongings and our friends and family. We fled for our family’s safety, and to secure a future for ourselves,” she explained.

Although immigrating to South Africa was not easy, Ani said her mother did all she could to start over and provide for her and her sisters. The family moved to Newcastle shortly after arriving in South Africa, not knowing where they would stay or how they would survive.

Shortly after their arrival in South Africa, Ani’s father left for Russia, leaving her mother to raise their four children on her own in their new home town.

Ani’s mother is a professional tattoo artist, and she wasted no time building a client base around Newcastle, using the money from her job to provide a secure home for her family.

“My mother is truly a strong woman, and has done her best to provide us with the best.”

Ani said, her passion for soccer was ignited about a year ago, when she decided to join her school soccer team. She soon realised she was very good at the sport.

“The more I played soccer, the better I became at the sport. Since playing soccer I have also learnt so much more about myself, and realised that I’m so much more than just a pretty face,” she said.

She regards herself as the typical girly girl, who loves fashion, but when she is on the field, she is strong, independent and fierce.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time on the soccer field, and oftens plays along with the boys of the Newcastle Futsal League, where she has learned to improve her skills and foot work on the field.

“I try to practise as much as I can, and always try to learn new things from fellow players.”

Ani said since taking up the sport, she became a stronger person, both mentally and physically. She learned to be more caring and mindful, as being a part of a team meant, one had to consider your team mates as well.

“I have also learned so many life lessons and values, which I believe has made me a better person.”

Being passionate about soccer, which is generally considered ‘male- dominated’ does not scare her, as she believes gender was no reason not to pursue your dreams, and believes by hard work and dedication, a person can achieve anything you want.

“Soccer is not just for men. That is stereotype. Most women are excellent in sport, and I have seen many women rule the soccer field. Regardless of your gender, you can make it happen, and you will probably do it better as well. Remember, if you fall seven times, then get up eight times, but never lose your dreams,” she concluded.