Australian futsal captain Jodie Hammond. Picture: SUPPLIE

EVERY sportsperson dreams about representing Australia, but Jodie Hammond played out her dream in real life when she captained the Australian women's futsal team on a recent two-week tour of Europe.

The former St Saviour's girl has just returned from a tour of Belgium and Holland where the Australian team played matches against teams from the host countries, Russia, Ukraine, Scotland and Germany.

Nancy Parker, who is the futsal development officer in Toowoomba, was also in the team.

But the highlight of the tour for Hammond was the victory in the inaugural 12-team World Cheetah Cup tournament in Belgium.

"We played four friendly internationals in Belgium and Holland, and then went to Lommel in Belgium for the Cheetah Cup," Hammond said.

After finishing the round matches with six wins and one loss, the Australian team fought out a torrid draw in the semi-final before winning in a penalty shoot-out.

That extra-time experience proved invaluable as the Australians were forced to repeat the performance in the final. Up against Dutch National League champion Nieuedam, Hammond scored a goal as the two teams ended deadlocked at 2-all at full-time.

Australian goalkeeper Kate Greenacre turned into a heroine when she pulled off two saves in the three-kick, penalty shoot-out to hand Australia victory.

Parker regularly found herself on the score sheet finding the net in the opening-round, 2-1 loss to Holland and scoring the decisive goals in the 1-0 win against Spain and the 1-0 quarter-final victory against Holland.

Hammond, a 25-year-old development officer with Queensland Futsal, toured Italy with the Australian team last year, but this was her first time as national captain.

"We had a training camp in Brisbane before we went away and I found out then that I was captain," Hammond said.

"It's a great honour."

Like most high achieving sportspeople, Hammond took up futsal after spending her earlier years with the outdoor version of the game.

"I played with St Albans for many years and a few of my team-mates said they were going to try futsal, so I went along," Hammond said.

"I probably enjoy it more as it's faster and a bit more intense as you are on the ball more."

Hammond will have little time to recharge her batteries as the national club titles are in January followed by a hectic 2005 season.

"A number of overseas countries have been invited to come to Australia next year, so it will be busy."