Senior midfielder Amelia Abbott is a veteran in the Longhorns soccer locker room. Despite seeing conference success as a part of the 2023 Big 12 Conference winning team, the beginning of Abbott’s competitive career differs greatly from most of her teammates.

In 2019, after cutting her teeth at the Nelson College for Girls team, Abbott began playing for her hometown club of Nelson Suburbs Division I Men’s in Nelson, New Zealand, at just 18 years old. This distinct mark sees Abbott as the only woman to ever compete in New Zealand’s Division I men’s soccer and reflects on the honor with fondness and appreciation. 

“I think at the time it was challenging and I was not sure how it would go, but I just thought it was the best environment that I could put myself in at the time,” Abbott said. “I had super supportive people around me. So once I … was playing … I grew confidence in it.”

Abbott spent her next three years competing on the men’s team at Nelson Suburbs, where she assimilated into the club and fit in despite being the only woman on the team.

“A lot of the coaches I had were super supportive, so the environment became really close-knit and a great team to play with,” Abbott said. “We’d mix a few of the boys’ and mens’ teams … and the training was well organized. I enjoyed that.”

Abbott understands the magnitude of her past and what it could mean to other young women.

“I hope that it gives them the confidence that, even if you’re from a small town or far away, you can do it … and there’s so many people helping you,” she said. “It’s scary, the world of Division I, … but once (you step) into it, you’re so supported that (you) can kind of do what you put your mind to.”

In 2021, Abbott’s time with Nelson Suburbs ended and she continued playing soccer at the University of Texas. Abbott feels that her time at Nelson Suburbs helped her transition to the team.

“I was lucky with the group I had at Suburbs,” Abbott said. “That was helpful, and one of my main coaches helped me prepare a little bit more. … He helped me with fitness and individual training. … It was hard initially and wasn’t all smooth sailing, but I think now being in my fourth year here, I’ve grown into things and feel a lot more comfortable in what I do here.”

The 2024 season will be Abbott’s senior season. She enters with confidence in her team and will look to do anything to continue building the strength and morale of the squad.

“We’ve grown a lot in the last four years, and I think we have a really good opportunity to go super far in the tournament this year,” Abbott said. “I just want to do anything … to make the team as strong as I can, whatever that takes playing-wise, and also (to) make sure everyone is close.”