The CommBank Young Matildas are headed to the world-class, newly opened “³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ of the Matildas” for the first time when they will assemble for October’s training camp.
Taking place from 23 – 31 October 2023, Head Coach Leah Blayney has called upon a 23-strong group to continue building for next year’s AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024™.
Australia sealed their qualification for the tournament in June when they topped Group A in Round 2 of qualification in Vietnam.
Leah Blayney said: “Once again we have assembled an extremely talented group for the next camp with balance at the core of our squad selection.”
“We have looked to call in players that suit our playing style as we work towards sharpening our gameplan to be as flexible and adaptable for the challenges ahead. Similarly to our August camp, the new players brought into the environment enter in good form with strong showings in the pressure end of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Premier Leagues’ season.
“Importantly, a number are already receiving good match minutes in the opening round of the A-League Women’s competition which will make for a high-quality training atmosphere. Our international scouting system has also seen Milly Boughton come in following her good form in England which shows that good play will be rewarded wherever a player is situated.”
Following the commencement of the 2023/24 A-League Women’s season, the squad features a heavy local flavour with 22 players currently signed to A-League Women’s clubs.
A number of recognisable faces from the Round 2 qualifiers return while Blayney continues to provide newer faces with the opportunity to impress. Meanwhile heavy HSC exams period has seen Lara Gooch, Shay Hollman and Zoe Karapidis unavailable for this camp.
“We only have a couple more windows together until next March’s tournament in Uzbekistan which we know will be highly competitive with the newly announced expansion of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to 24 teams,” Blayney said.
“With an additional spot now available from the AFC, there is a real focus in the staff and playing group and over the next few months, we will be working towards fostering continuity and consistency within our play and link together these special players,” she concluded.
COMMBANK YOUNG MATILDAS | TRAINING CAMP & SQUAD | 23 – 31 OCTOBER
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB|MEMBER FEDERATION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexia | APOSTOLAKIS | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers FC| Football NSW |
| Tegan | BERTOLISSIO | Defender | Canberra United | Football NSW |
| Milly | BOUGHTON | Midfielder | Tottenham Hotspurs FC | Football NSW |
| India | BREIER | Forward | Western Sydney Wanders FC | Football NSW |
| Amy | CHESSARI | Midfielder | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Football NSW |
| Gemma | FERRIS | Defender | Western Sydney Wanders | Football NSW |
| Tahlia | FRANCO | Goalkeeper | Sydney FC | Football NSW |
| Daniela | GALIC | Midfielder | Melbourne City FC | Football NSW |
| Sasha | GROVE | Forward | Canberra United FC| Capital Football |
| Kahli | JOHNSON | Forward | Western United FC | Football NSW |
| Caitlin | KARIC | Forward | Melbourne City FC | Football Victoria |
| Zara | KRUGER | Midfielder | Sydney FC | Football Queensland |
| Chloe | LINCOLN | Goalkeeper | Canberra United FC | Football NSW |
| Maya | LOBO | Defender | Central Coast Mariners FC | Football NSW |
| Tijan | MCKENNA | Defender | Melbourne City FC | Football West |
| Alana | MURPHY | Midfielder | Melbourne Victory | Football Victoria |
| Emilia | MURRAY | Forward | Adelaide United | Football South Australia |
| Jessika | NASH | Defender | Melbourne Victory | Football NSW |
| Ella | O’GRADY | Forward | Melbourne Victory | Football Queensland |
| Sienna | SAVESKA | Midfielder | Sydney FC | Football NSW |
| Anika | STAJCIC | Forward | Perth Glory FC | Football NSW |
| Naomi | THOMAS-CHINNAMA | Defender | Melbourne City FC | Football Victoria |
| Peta | TRIMIS | Forward | Central Coast Mariners FC | Football NSW |
