Two Emerging Jets, Hannah Bourke and Annie Grove were selected in the Young Matildas’ three international matches against high calibre female football nations Canada and the USA at the AIS in Canberra from 6-12 July 2017.
The matches this weekend against Canada and USA will see the Young Matilda’s launch their preparations for the AFC U-19 Women’s Championships 2017 campaign coming up in October, which doubles as qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018 in France.
Up to 36 players have been involved in Young Matildas camps since the beginning of the year, highlighting the increasing depth of talent coming through and the surging growth and interest in football among girls.
“From all of the players we’ve had come through Young Matildas camps from the beginning of the year, it’s getting to a stage of looking at who we think we can utilise when the time comes around for qualification, which is the most important thing,” said van Egmond.
“The squad has changed around a bit so that shows there are opportunities for players who are working hard and doing well. At the moment these 23 players have got a spot in the squad and it’s up to them to try and keep their position.”
“A mainstay of this squad has all had Westfield W-League experience so they’re quality players and it’s good to see the next generation coming through.”
With the USA’s senior women’s team currently the number one ranked team in the world in the world while Canada is fourth, the rare opportunity to host their respective U-20 teams in Australia is not lost on van Egmond.
“We’ve seen the way Canada and the USA’s senior women’s teams play and I don’t think that will be too dissimilar to how the younger ones go about their business,” said van Egmond.
“But from our perspective it’s more about concentrating on us and looking at how we can try and cause them problems by keeping to our principles.”
The three international matches are part of a Young Matildas training camp at the AIS which commenced on Thursday and will conclude on 13 July.
The Young Matildas’ first match was yesterday against Canada where they won 1-0 following the opening match between the Canadians and the USA on 6 July. The matches are open to public and free of charge to enter.
Young Matildas 1 def. Canada 0
Saturday 8 July 2017
Kick-Off: 10.00am AEST
Young Matildas 1 def. by USA 2
Monday 10 July 2017
Kick-Off: 3.30pm AEST
Young Matildas v USA
Wednesday 12 July 2017
Kick-Off: 3.30pm AEST
Young Matildas squad for July internationals
Melina AYRES South Melbourne FC
Melinda BARBIERI Calder United
Georgia BORIC (GK) Sydney University SFC
Hannah BOURKE Emerging Jets
Ellie CARPENTER Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Alex CHIDIAC Adelaide City
Teigan COLLISTER North Shore Mariners
Nickoletta FLANNERY Sydney University SFC
Annie GROVE (GK) Emerging Jets
Mackenzie HAWKESBY Sydney University SFC
Clare HUNT Sydney University SFC
Princess IBINI Football NSW Institute
Ashleigh LEFEVRE Football Federation Victoria NTC
Rachel LOWE Football NSW Institute
Grace MAHER Belconnen United
Annabel MARTIN Galaxy United
Jada MATHYSSEN-WHYMAN (GK) Football NSW Institute
Alyssa ROSE Football NSW Institute
Amy SAYER Sydney University
Remy SIEMSEN Manly United
Kaitlyn TORPEY Brisbane Roar FC NPL
Cortnee VINE Heidelberg United
Clare WHEELER Sydney University SFC
