HAMILTON - The only thing that concerned Michael Glasmeier about leaving for New Zealand and Australia this week was the plane ride.

        It was his first. And at 23 hours, a long one.

        But beyond that, the 17-year-old Hamilton High School soccer player is gearing up for his appearance in Konga Cup II, a soccer tournament that will pit teen-age American and Australian players. The games are part of People To People Sports Ambassadors, an organization that brings teen athletes from various countries together for games.

        Michael, a junior, was among 29 American soccer players from his age bracket selected for the trip. He was invited in the fall, but the family doesn't know who nominated him.

        “It was just somebody watching him (play), or it could have been a coach or a scout,” said his mother, Brenda Glasmeier. “He's the only one from around this area. I think it's a good experience.”

        Michael could have opted to go to another country, but Australia was his choice.

        “I've always wanted to go over there and see what it's like,” he said. “I haven't met anybody that I'm playing with. I hope we get along. If nobody gets along, we don't play well.”

        Besides the games, he said he is looking forward to learning about Australia's culture and people.

        The group met in Los Angeles before heading down under.

        Donations and help from several Hamilton businesses will cover about 30 percent of the $4,000 cost of the trip. To show his support, Michael made several T-shirts listing his sponsors. He will wear them overseas and has given one to each sponsor.

        The group flew first to New Zealand for a week of training and practice before going to Sydney. The group — broken up into two teams — will play at least four games, Michael said. He'll return July 17.

        A life-long soccer player, Michael made the Hamilton High varsity team as a freshman, his mother said.

        “He played football, he played baseball, but he quit all that to play soccer all year-round,” Mrs. Glasmeier said. “He lives, eats and breathes soccer.”

        While admitting to being a bit nervous about her son going so far from home, Mrs. Glasmeier does have one wish: “I hope he brings home a winner.”

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