New Matilda and Thackeroo expected to ‘rise’ at NSW National Youth Championship

The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) said Wollongong and Glenwood in western Sydney have been selected to host major football tournaments where ‘stars are born’.

FFA Girls Youth Development Manager Debbie Fisher said the nation’s biggest football talent event will take place during the National Youth Championships for 14, 15 and 16 years old in October. said deaf.

“With the FIFA Women’s World Cup, we are confident that the future stars of Australian football will grace the field, showcase their exceptional talent and inspire the next generation of footballers. she said.

Fischer said all but one of the current Matildas women’s national team, who are set to face Ireland in their World Cup opener, have played in the championship as juniors.

“I think Mary Fowler is the only one who didn’t make it to the National Youth Championship, but I’m pretty sure she was in the National Training Center Challenge. In 2018, she did a little better. It’s an older Talent ID event,” she said.

The tournament has so far been held at Coffs Harbour, on the Mid-North Coast, but the FFA has decided to give the opportunity to another region.

The Under-14 and Under-16 Women’s competition will be held in Wollongong between WIN Stadium, home of the St George Illawarra Dragons, and John Clehan Park, Klingira, with the Under-15 and Under-16 Men The event will be held at Valentine Sports Park in Glenwood.

Elasticity test

Fischer said the tournament tested how players deal with being away from home when competing in tournament football and helped identify Junior Matilda’s next mate.

“A lot of it is about self-reflection and trying to be a better player than you were yesterday, rather than comparing yourself to other teammates or players from the same state.”

third sister chance

Junior Matildas sisters Zinaya, 17, from Shellharbour, and Dos Santos, Indiana, 15, have both competed in previous competitions, and sister Kaini will join the team playing in Wollongong in October. wanted.

“It puts pressure on her. [Kyani]but we have high hopes for her so we can watch her at home,” Indiana said.

Zinaya and Indiana recently returned from Young Matilda after successfully qualifying for the 2024 Women’s Asian Cup.

world cup excitement

The sisters said the next few weeks will be dedicated to watching their heroes qualify for the Women’s World Cup.

We are both huge Mary Fowler fans and were delighted to meet her. Winning goal in friendly against France on friday night.

“She’s just a goat [greatest of all time]. Our game is based on her play, so she loves to watch her play and she loves her play,” said Zinaya.

“The situation she’s in now is crazy at such a young age.

“I also loved Kaitlyn Ford. She was from here too. She’s a huge inspiration for us and our game.”

Both were convinced that Matilda could win the World Cup.

“It’s crazy to think about it, but I think they can do it. If they all believe in it, I know it will happen, and if there’s a lot of cohesion in the team, I think it’s a good chance,” Indiana added. rice field.

School will resume this week, but Jinaya said she will see it anyway.

“We don’t care, we don’t care, I’ll see it, rest if need be.”

Selection for the National Youth Championship will be held in September.

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