Five northern NSW juniors have been selected in the Pararoos and ParaMatildas squads for the IFCPF Men’s and Women’s World Cup 2024 in Spain.
Veteran Ben Roche will come out of retirement to join fellow northern NSW product Daniel Campbell in the Pararoos squad, while Rae Anderson, Tahlia Blanshard and Lainee Harrison will represent the region in the ParaMatildas squad on the international stage.
Roche made 65 appearances and scored 23 goals for Australia before he hung up his boots in early 2024 after he was announced as the Para Teams Manager.
But in a surprising comeback, Roche was recalled into the national team to help lead the Pararoos in their fifth World Cup with their quest to finish in the top 10.
Roche said that he was honoured to wear the green and gold once again and was confident that the Pararoos could shake up the competition.
“It’s a little bit surreal still. It is something that I thought about for a long time but I am very excited to play a small part in the World Cup,” Roche said.
“I have been team managing for the last year. At first, the aim was to keep playing but then I chose to step away and focus on team managing. It was tough on the sidelines and then with a few injuries and things like that, I felt I could offer something out on the field and here we are.
“If I play one minute or 10 minutes, for me if I can just play a small part then that would mean a lot.
“Looking at the group, I think that a top-eight finish is a must and taking it further from there would be even better.”
Anderson, Blanshard and Harrison will each play key roles in the ParaMatildas squad, with 25 appearances and seven goals between them.
The ParaMatildas, who are ranked number one in the world in CP women’s football, are hungry for gold in their second World Cup appearance after they won silver in 2022.
The ParaMatildas will hope that momentum will be on their side after winning the 2023 IFCPF Asia Oceania Championships which could help launch them into a successful tournament.
Don’t miss the Pararoos and ParaMatildas in action of the IFCPF World Cup 2024, which kicks off November 11 2024.
All matches will be streamed live and free on Football Australia’s YouTube Channel HERE.
