Brook (19), one of the most promising female football players to come out of Dunedin, has been awarded a scholarship to Virginia Tech University, a few months after being put through her paces by a visiting scout.
She leaves today for Blacks-burg, Virginia, where she will have the northern summer to get into shape before the college season starts in late August.
"I'm pretty excited, obviously.
"I've been overseas a couple of times but this is going to be a big trip," Brook told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
The scholarship will cover Brook's tuition and accommodation.
She has just completed a psychology degree at the University of Otago, so will not enter Virgina Tech as a wide-eyed freshman.
"There will be some cross credits but I'm not sure whether I'll be a junior or a senior or whatever.
"The main thing is I've got two years of eligibility to play football."
Virgina Tech's Hokies had 10 wins, nine losses and four draws last season, and made the final of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship.
The women also earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament but were beaten 2-0 by Brigham Young University in the first round.
"I don't know much about the team but I think I've got a pretty got chance of starting," Brook said.
"They're in a bit of a tight spot because they've lost their goalkeeper from last year and they haven't been able to find another one."
Brook said the college had already passed on some feedback about her skills, had found a place for her to stay over the summer, and had been working on a schedule of classes to fit around her intensive football training.
Family members were "pretty excited but probably a bit sad" about her departure, she said.
Brook, who plays for the Northern club, went to the world youth cup in Chile last year with the New Zealand team but did not get on the park.
As the only international player in the Virgina Tech team, she knows she will be expected to perform.
"It's going to be a huge step up. It's a really professional environment and we'll be playing teams that have full internationals in them."
