It's a combination of passion for soccer and a little cheekiness that has placed Gungahlin girl Jessica Pearson front and centre of the spectacle that is the FIFA Women's World Cup, about to unfold in France.
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The 10-year-old has won the right to carry the ball on to the pitch for the Matildas v Brazil match in sunny Montpellier in the south of France on June 13.
![Ten-year-old Jessica Pearson at Gold Creek School. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong Ten-year-old Jessica Pearson at Gold Creek School. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75nm5ppm8ba8glshb95.jpg/r0_0_5449_3633_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Jessica is a year 5 student at Gold Creek School and plays for Gungahlin in the U13 National Premier Women's League. She's been playing soccer since she was four or five.
"It's fun, enjoyable and you get to meet new people," she said.
![Gungahlin's Jessica Pearson in action. Picture: Nicole Brown. Gungahlin's Jessica Pearson in action. Picture: Nicole Brown.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75nl8i4sjna118qc0310.jpg/r0_218_4272_2848_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
She entered the Kia Official Match Ball Carrier competition, a global event run by Kia Motors to select one winner between the ages of 10 and 14 from each country. In all, there will be 64 winners from around the world
Jessica's winning submission was: "I am 10 years old and I play for the U13 National Premier Women's League. My goal is to play for the Matildas when I grow up. I would love to watch them play in the World Cup and see another country. I also love croissants!"
![A picture of concentration: young soccer player Jessica Pearson. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong A picture of concentration: young soccer player Jessica Pearson. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75nm5t49rf81hl78wb95.jpg/r0_0_5449_3633_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The competition was judged on creativity and passion and Jessica's response was considered creative and cheeky.
And, yes, she really does love croissants.
"Yeah, a lot!" she said.
![Jessica Pearson is a fan of soccer - and croissants. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong Jessica Pearson is a fan of soccer - and croissants. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75nm5fij85z12a7fjb95.jpg/r0_0_3659_5409_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The younger player hopes to meet Australian forward Sam Kerr while she is in France.
"She's my soccer idol."
Jessica will be making the trip with her dad Mick, and together they will be making the most of it.
"We're going to see the Eiffel Tower and go to Disneyland and see some gardens and go on a few tours," she said.
And the little girl was grateful for her trip of a lifetime.
"I want to thank Kia for sponsoring it and my old coach, Laura Jennings, she was the one who sent us the competition," Jessica said.