One of the leaders in the team, Flanker Jess Verdon has earned herself a role model status within the team, with a number of younger players looking up to her in the AFF Futsal camp.

Last year, the 29-Year-Old took part in the World University Champs, despite not being eligible as a University student. For the tournament, Verdon took up the role as assistant coach, alongside Head Coach, Nic Downes.

Verdon has a vast layer of experience both on and off the Futsal court and is no doubt an embedded player within the AFF Futsal side.

Here are five things to know about AFF Flanker, Jess Verdon.

Verdon saves lives on a daily basis

Saving lives on a daily basis, Verdon works full time as a Paramedic in Auckland. An impressive career pathway, Verdon manages to balance her obscure work hours, Futsal training sessions as well as other hobbies and activities she engages in.

Verdon is involved with horses and ponies

Before working as a paramedic, Verdon worked with horses’ full time. To this current day, Verdon still owns a horse and when she isn’t playing Futsal or working as a paramedic, the flanker can be found teaching at her local pony club. 

One way to ticket to England

Just over 10 years ago, a 19-Year-Old Jess Verdon decided she wanted to go overseas, so the flanker bought a one-way ticket to England. We’re not quite sure what happened next, but we’re assuming she made it back in one piece. Within the AFF Media team, we’re 100% certain we could not have done that at 19. We’re 100% certain we would’ve tried to buy a one-way ticket to England but we would end up elsewhere on accident.

Bugs, Insects, Creepy Crawlies – Verdon dreads them

Everyone has their own genuine fear in life and for Verdon, she’s absolutely terrified of any kind of bug that currently exists in real life. But there’s one bug, which really gives the flanker the shivers, and that’s the Spider!

Travelling, a healthy addiction for Verdon

Every year, Verdon must make sure she’s travelling somewhere and if she doesn’t, she seems to get itchy feet. In 2019, the flanker is travelling to South East Asia and South Africa.

Article added: Sunday 10 February 2019