Mikaela Bangalan (Year12) is an avid footballer and has been playing since ‘she can remember’ – gaining a worthy place in the Sancta Maria College girls’ 1st XI football team until she was given an opportunity within her club to represent her region. Mikaela continued her football development throughout her teenage and high school years and was recently chosen to represent New Zealand at the U17 women’s 2024 FIFA World Cup, in Dominican Republic. An achievement Mikaela had been working toward for many years. She played in number 6, as a defensive midfielder and was an integral player of the team.
Mikaela left for the Dominican Republic at the beginning of October, with the team, to prepare for the World Cup. The team had three round robin games:
- NZ v Nigeria on 17 October: NZ losing 4-1
- NZ v Dominican Republic on 20 October: the game was a draw
- NZ v Ecuador on 23 October: NZ losing 4-0
Mikaela Bangalan returned to school at the end of October to continue her exam preparation and as Head Girl for 2025. We could not be any prouder of Mikaela’s achievements and cannot wait to see her grow and development next year.
