Northern NSW Football secured second and fourth place at the National Youth Championships 2024 Girls’ Tournament.
The final day of action at the Home of the Matildas saw the under-15s and under-16 sides push their opponents to the final whistle to be the first group to have a team finish the tournament in the top two in over a decade.
The under-16s side placed second in their group after two wins and a loss to progress through to the quarter-finals where they defeated NSW Country to move into the semi-finals where they were victorious over Football Victoria to advance into the final against NSW Metro.
The under-16s put on a brave performance against NSW Metro in the final but went down 4-0 to secure second place and a silver medal for the tournament.
NNSWF created the first chance in the game when the ball spilled off NSW Metros’s goalkeeper’s hands, but the ball was cleared away.
NSW Metro scored early in the first half before they doubled their advantage before half-time.
The momentum looked to have shifted in NNSWF’s favour as we created chances but another two quick goals from NSW Metro took the scoreline out to 4-0.
NNSWF continued to push in the efforts to claw one back but were unable to capitalise on any opportunities that they created.
Despite the final result, under-16s captain Laura Knipe was thrilled that her side made it all the way to the final.
“We didn’t get the final result that we were hoping for but I am so proud of how far the team made it,” Knipe said.
“It has been a great week out with the girls, we have grown so much and it has been such a great experience for us all.”
The under-15s side finished the tournament in fourth position after they finished second in their group.
They advanced into the quarter-finals where they beat Victoria White 2-1 to progress into the semi-finals in which they went down to NSW Metro on penalties. The team then went head-to-head with Victoria Blue in the third-place play-offs.
NNSWF’s under-15s pushed Victoria Blue to the end in their third-place play-off match on Monday morning but unfortunately went down on penalties.
NNSWF opened the scoring in the 10th minute, with a tap-in from captain Julieanne Fox off a corner kick.
Shortly after Victoria levelled the score and the two sides went into half-time locked up at 1-1.
NNSWF continued to pounce in attack but was unable to capatlise on their chances.
Victoria was awarded a penalty kick deep into the second half, but the attempt was skyed over the crossbar to keep NNSWF in the game.
Despite multiple opportunities, neither side was able to edge ahead by the final whistle which took the game into penalties.
Charlee Fahey, Ceanna Frost and Fox all converted their penalties but it was not enough to get the job done and Victoria Blue took the win.
Fox was disappointed they couldn’t take home third place but was proud of her side’s efforts throughout the tournament.
“I am proud of the team. We come from many different clubs from so many different areas and put our best foot forward,” Fox said.
“We didn’t get where we wanted in the end but we tried our hardest in every match, which is all I can ask for.”
Caoimhe Bray was also awarded the Under-15s Goalkeeper of the Tournament for the second year in a row.
NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge was delighted that the two NNSWF sides were able to showcase their talents.
“The two sides did incredibly well. Overall, we were really pleased with the efforts from both squads,” Doidge said.
“I was most pleased by the evidence of our DNA in what the players were showing on the field, specifically around being brave and creative in possession and then having levels of enthusiasm and determination off the ball.”
Doidge said that the results of our two sides were a credit to the key relationships that form the talented player pathway.
“I am really proud of the relationships that we have with our clubs and the Newcastle Jets which highlights the talented player pathway that we have in NNSWF. What is most impressive to me is that we can showcase that at a national level,” Doidge said.
“Each side did really well to get to the stage of the tournament that they got to. It wasn’t unexpected for us. We know the level of talent that we have got in our region which is something that we are really proud of and happy to showcase on a national level.
“It is significant to be recognised as one of the top teams in both age groups and is something that we want to be doing year in year out.
“Two years in a row in the girls’ space we have shown that we are able to get to the semi-finals. Hopefully, now it is about building on that and really making sure that we can develop these players to the level that they need to be recognised for a national team selection.”
NNSWF will now gear up for the 2024 National Youth Championships for Boys which will take place in Wollongong from 16 to 21 of July.
