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Head coach Rae Dower’s extensive search for the next generation of women’s footballers will continue next week when the CommBank Junior Matildas head to Brisbane for their most recent training camp.

The camp has been called following confirmation that Australia will participate in the upcoming AFF U18 Champions in Indonesia from 22 July to 4 August 2022.

It will be the CommBank Junior Matildas’ first international activity since their involvement in the 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship where they finished fourth in the tournament three years ago. It also marks the final Australian Women’s ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Team to re-commence international action.

Dower has called in a 28-player squad that includes several names familiar to the program over the last three months. In addition, four more players have been provided with an opening to display their talents in the national team environment.

With Queensland a longstanding breeding ground for women’s football talent, Dower is anticipating another competitive five days in Brisbane.

“We’re very excited to continue the development with this playing group who have worked hard back in their respective club teams to be in good physical shape,” Dower said.

“This allows us to work at a high intensity to help prepare the players for the rigours of international competition in a congested tournament. A lot of credit needs to go to the States and their staff at the respective programs who have done a magnificent job preparing the players.”

“There’s been some very trying circumstances with so much rain and rescheduling of games across the country, so kudos to the Member Federation staff. The level of collaboration with the pathway programs across the country is very good and we are seeing a positive impact on the players and their ongoing development.”

The recent camp call-ups see the number of players from the CommBank Junior Matildas age group involved in national team activity to 64, with 56 attending U17 assemblies and another eight progressing to the CommBank Young Matildas level.

“This upcoming camp in Brisbane gives the players another opportunity to push for final selection for the AFF U18 team and the upcoming tour to Indonesia,” she continued.

“Pleasingly, there are so many outstanding young players in the player pool making it a very difficult decision for the coaching staff and I to arrive at the final selection.

“With the exciting news of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Youth Championships returning in 2022, it will give all these aspiring players another opportunity to test themselves against the best in the country and push their careers forward.”

COMMBANK JUNIOR MATILDAS SQUAD | TRAINING CAMP | 21 JUNE – 1 JULY 2022