Delmar 11-Year-Old Girl Selected to U.S. Youth Futsal National Team, Headed to Argentina

Delmar, NY (WRGB) — While most kids her age are still asleep, 11-year-old Savannah Martin is already training — chasing a dream that has now taken her to the national level.

Martin, a rising sixth grader from Delmar who attends Bethlehem Central Schools, has been named to the U.S. Youth Futsal National Team. She is set to represent the country this August in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she will compete against top youth players from across South America.

Futsal, a fast-paced five-a-side version of soccer played indoors with a smaller, heavier ball, emphasizes quick thinking, footwork, and tight control. Martin was selected after competing in a series of regional and national ID trials, including in Massachusetts and Michigan, where she stood out among thousands of players from across the country.

“Sometimes I really don’t want to wake up, but I feel like the practice is good for me and good preparation for tryouts,” Martin said.

The young athlete plays club soccer with Alleycats Soccer Club and futsal with Beestera, both based in the Capital Region. She trains multiple times a week — often before school — and works with both boys and girls in her sessions.

“You should always try to work harder than everyone else because the harder you work, the better you get,” Martin said.

Her father, Neal Martin, said Savannah’s consistency and calmness under pressure have helped her excel.

“She’s very even-keeled. She’s cool under pressure… and she’s very dedicated,” he said.

Martin’s selection was made by a committee that included Keith Tozer, one of the most respected figures in the sport. Tozer is a Shenendehowa graduate, the winningest coach in U.S. indoor soccer history, and now serves as commissioner of the Major Arena Soccer League.

“Savannah has great comfortability with the ball — she can dribble, she can shoot, she can pass. And then her physicality on a small court — she has great quickness and speed, and speed of thought, which is just as important as speed of play,” Tozer said. “I knew right away she was special.”

Tozer added that watching a young player from his own hometown make the team was a full-circle moment.

“Keep following your dream. Keep pushing hard. To have someone coming from the area where I grew up — it’s fantastic for me,” he said.

Martin said she’s excited for the opportunity and grateful for her support system.

“It means a lot for me to be on that team. It makes me feel special,” she said. “My family keeps me motivated. They help get me ready for school and remind me of what I need to do.”

Her family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover travel and team costs for the trip to Argentina. The tournament is scheduled for early August.