Soccer's Next Big Superstar Could Be This San Ramon Girl

SAN RAMON, CA — Friends call her Sia B, but the Gale Ranch Middle Schooler's real name is Sia Bharadwaj — and she's a somebody on the soccer field. The seventh-grader's skills have earned her an invitation from Futbol Club Barcelona to attend a training camp in Spain starting next month at the Barça Academy Headquarters.

Sia, 12, was picked after attending an FCB training camp in San Francisco. She said FCB conducted camps across the United States, scouting over 5,000 players.

"I was super thrilled when my dad shared the news with me," she said. "I knew inside that I had done really well during the training camp and was secretly hoping to make it to the FC Barcelona camp list.

"FC Barcelona holds a special value in my heart," she continued. "This is the team that inspires me and I admire their style of play. It means a lot to me to get selected for this opportunity and I am determined to put my best efforts to make it further and beyond to [the] next level."

Sia started playing soccer when she was 8 and currently competes on Pleasanton Rage's Elite Club National League 06 Team. She's also enrolled in the NorCal Player Development Program, which grooms young athletes.

"I am completely in love with this sport, and am determined and driven to be the best soccer player in the world," she said. "It’s my dream to play for the U.S. Women’s National Team."

The training in Barcelona includes accommodation, food and events. Sia's parents, Sandeep and Aparna, will be on the flight with her to Spain but will not be allowed to stay with her.

"I will be staying at the player residence with my other campmates," Sia explained.

Aparna said she and her husband are hoping Sia will gain experience working toward her ambition, enhance her soccer skills and learn about another culture during the trip that begins Sept. 28 and runs through Oct. 6.

"We believe this will help develop her personality and motivate her to pursue her dream," Aparna said.

Sia's got a good start. She's a straight-A student with a highly analytical mindset, Aparna said. She even started learning Spanish on her own through the mobile app DuoLingo.

"I’m trying my best so I can try to communicate with them in their local language," she said of her upcoming overseas opportunity.

But there is more to Sia than academics and sport.

"Sia is extremely creative and has a passion for baking and arts/crafts," Aparna said. "In her free time, you will catch her baking banana bread or gluten free cookies. She also enjoys painting, knitting and calligraphy. She is very passionate about conservation of resources and saving earth — she is a little green ambassador in our house."

Given her maturity, it's no surprise where Sia's head is at as she takes this next step in her young soccer career.

"I am looking forward to this great opportunity to train with one of the esteemed international soccer clubs," she said. "I am excited to train on the grounds where all renowned players come and play. I am looking forward to [meeting] with other players who will be joining this club from other parts of USA and to play with the local teams.

"I’m also very thankful to all my coaches who helped improve my game," she continued, "and to all my teammates and friends who support me."