Indigenous Teen Chases Soccer Dream Despite 98% Hearing Loss

A 14-year-old girl who lost 98% of her hearing is proof that nothing can stop a determined athlete from chasing their dreams.

Cydnee Avery was just five when doctors discovered her profound hearing loss. Instead of giving up on soccer, she taught herself to lip-read so she could follow her coach's instructions during drills.

"She picked it up just by watching footwork, and she still does it to this day," her mother Jess told reporters. The challenge gave Cydnee something most young athletes struggle to develop: an unshakable determination.

Now the Western Sydney Wanderers Girls Academy midfielder is one of 26 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players selected for a groundbreaking talent showcase in Sydney. The event is hosted by the John Moriarty Foundation, named after the first Aboriginal footballer to represent Australia.

For Cydnee, the goal is clear. "Play for the Matildas or any higher teams and go overseas," she said.

Why This Inspires

The showcase represents something bigger than one weekend tournament. It's creating opportunities for Indigenous talent that simply didn't exist before.

Two players from remote Mornington Island in far northwest Queensland learned their skills entirely from YouTube videos. Ceon Dempsey and Nequarn "Pascoe" Binjari, both 15, practiced for hours without proper equipment or footwear, studying legends like Ronaldo and Neymar online.

They pulled on soccer boots for the very first time while preparing for this showcase.

Program manager Jen Wicks, one of the few female UEFA A Licence holders in Australia, sees incredible natural advantages in Indigenous players. "Kids that are used to looking for real dangers over vast distances have their heads on a swivel," she explained. "That ability doesn't need to be taught."

The foundation chose to create this showcase specifically around the FIFA World Cup 2026. "It's essentially the world's biggest talent showcase," Wicks said. "There hasn't been anything like that in Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people."

Professional football community members will attend the match, giving these young athletes visibility they might never have gotten otherwise. For players from remote areas with limited resources, it's a chance to prove their skills on equal footing.

Cydnee trains countless hours each week, combining natural talent with the dedication her early challenges taught her. Her story shows what's possible when determination meets opportunity.