Warwick’s Ashlee Camasaca competes on US Youth Futsal International Team in Brazil

Eleven-year-old Ashlee Camasaca of Warwick competed on the US Youth Futsal International Team in Brazil from Aug 6-13. Ashlee was selected out of 500 competitors for the 12 person team, to represent the United States internationally.

“I feel happy to be doing what I love while representing the country,” Ashlee told the newspaper ahead of the competition.

The U.S. team lost to Brazil 1-0 at the championship game.

Ashlee’s father, David Camasca, said it was an amazing experience. “Wearing that USA jersey — that’s something she’ll take with her for a long time,” he said.

Futsal is an intense, fast-paced form of soccer that takes place indoors on a small court. Ashlee’s father and his partner Richard Martinez started a local futsal program, Hudson Valley Futsal, to curate players’ passions for sports in an environment that focuses on learning skills and techniques.

The nonprofit, which Ashlee trains with, practices at Grace Community Church, Warwick Valley and Monroe-Woodbury school district gyms, and Warwick Soccer club fields. The organization sent five players to a National ID camp in Kansas City, where Ashlee’s skills were recognized by scouts for the international team.

Ashlee’s passion for the sport started when she was five years old, when she was drawn to “just kicking around the ball.”

“And you could tell she liked it (soccer). She preferred that over other sports,” added David. “So we just kept going and I think what really separates her is that she tries— that she always gives 100% at practices or anything else.”

David is looking forward to seeing what his daughter accomplishes in the future.

“She’ll keep going forward,” said David. “She has expressed that she does want to be the youngest player for the women’s national team.”