This past summer, Arcadia High School (AHS) Girls Varsity Soccer team players Ima Kellerman and Bella Kellerman took part in the Peru Under 20 women’s national team soccer training camp from Aug. 15 to 24. Ima Kellerman, a senior at AHS, was selected to play against Chile for two friendly games. Bella Kellerman, a sophomore at AHS, was selected to train with the U17 Alianza women’s team (a professional club).

The Kellermans followed an intense training regimen while in Peru consisting of two or three trainings a day (both weight room and tactical practices), physical fitness testing, and health checks. It was also the first time either sister was given the opportunity to compete internationally.

While the trip was a valuable way to hone their soccer skills, it also offered a chance for the Kellermans to bond with their team.

“It was amazing, all the new people I met allowed me to make a lot of friendships,” said Ima.

Ethnically Peruvian, it also gave them the chance to connect with their culture and experience their heritage while abroad. 

Impacting their lives, both girls have been playing soccer since an early age, Ima since she was 5-years-old and Bella since she was 8-years-old. For them, soccer serves as an outlet to escape the stress of day-to-day life and meet lifelong friends.

“Playing soccer clears my mind and allows me to escape from the sometimes overwhelming thoughts as a teenage girl,” said Ima. 

“Soccer is the source of some of the most important friendships in my life, and I will be forever thankful for all that it has given to me,” said Bella. 

The opportunity to play internationally came through a recruitment process via social media. A recruiter got in contact with Ima and Bella via Instagram, and after sending him highlights, they were put in contact with the assistant and head coaches who offered them spots at the training camp. 

Initially, the language barrier and high stakes of the training camp made both sisters nervous.

“I would say that it was pretty exciting, and I was also kind of nervous. Just being there was pretty nerve wracking because everyone spoke Spanish, and I didn’t speak Spanish,” said Ima. 

In the end, the trip served as a valuable experience which helped the girls hone their soccer skills, make lasting friendships, and create connections which will help them succeed in the world of women’s soccer. 

In the future, both sisters want to play soccer in college, and as for Bella, she hopes to play professionally. Coming into the soccer season at AHS, they are excited to continue playing for their team and making new memories. 

“I’m excited to spend my senior season with my closest friends, playing my last year with my sister, and winning League Champs and maybe CIF,” said Ima.

Good luck to the Kellerman sisters in all their future endeavors! We thank you for making Arcadia proud.

Photos courtesy of Ima Kellerman