New Matildas and Socceroos expected to ‘rise’ at National Youth Championships in NSW

Wollongong and Western Sydney’s Glenwood have been selected to host a major soccer tournament where “stars will rise”, according to Football Federation Australia (FFA).

FFA Girls Youth development manager Debbie Fisher said the nation’s single biggest talent identification event for soccer would occur when the National Youth Championships for under 14s, 15s and 16s were played in October.

“We’re confident the future stars of Australian football will grace the fields, displaying their exceptional talents and inspiring the next generation of footballers off the back of the FIFA women’s World Cup,” she said.

Ms Fisher said all but one of the current women’s national soccer team, the Matildas, preparing to take on Ireland in the first game of the World Cup had played in the championships during their junior years.

“The only one I can think of that maybe missed out on a National Youth Championships was Mary Fowler, but she was certainly at a National Training Centre Challenge, which is a slightly older age group talent ID event back in 2018,” she said.

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

The girl’s Under 14s and 16s competition will be held in Wollongong between WIN stadium, home of the St George Illawarra Dragons, and John Crehan Park in Cringilla, while the boys under 15s and 16s will be held at the Valentine Sports Park in Glenwood.

A resilience test

Ms Fisher said the competition tested how the players coped with being away from home while contesting tournament football, and helped identify the next cohort for the Junior Matildas.

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

Opportunity for third sister

Junior Matildas and sisters from Shellharbour, 17-year-old Jynaya and Indiana (15) Dos Santos, both played in previous tournaments and hoped their younger sister Kyani would make the squad that played in Wollongong during October.

“It does put pressure on her [Kyani], but we are so hopeful for her, so we can watch her at home,” Indiana said.

Jynaya and Indiana have recently returned from the Young Matildas successful under 20s Women’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign for 2024.

World Cup excitement

The sisters said they would be devoted to watching their heroes take part in the Women’s World Cup over the next couple of weeks.

Both are major Mary Fowler fans and were delighted to see her match-winning goal in the friendly game against France on Friday night.

“She is just a GOAT [greatest of all time]. We love watching her play cause our game is kind of based off hers and we love the way she plays,” Jynaya said.

“Where she is at now is crazy at such a young age.

“I also loved Caitlin Foord, that she was from here as well. She is a massive inspiration to us and our game.”

Both were confident the Matildas could win the World Cup.

“It’s crazy to think about, but I think they can do it, and if they all believe, which I know they will and there is great unity in the team, I reckon it’s a good chance,” Indiana added.

While school is back this week, Jynaya said she would be watching anyway.

“We don’t care, I don’t care, I am going to watch it, take the day off if I have to”.

Selections for the National Youth Championships are expected to take place in September.

Loading