By Anthony Marinos

The Football Federation Australian (FFA) National Championships will be held in Coffs Harbour from the 7th to the 14th of July, displaying the best junior and youth players in Australia.

The South Australian Womens Soccer Association will be sending by two teams consisting of girls from all across the state. The squads will be competing in their respected age groups of; Under 15 and Under 17 in a battle for state supremacy.

The tournament will act, as a huge stepping-stone in confidence for the young ladies as they prepare to take on the best young talent this country has to offer. With many of the Under 16 Australian players and Young Matildas taking part, it will give everyone a chance to see who is able to rise to the occasion and impress selectors for a spot in the national team.

Under 17’s coach Wendy Carter, is expecting a big achievement from her team and strongly believes that this tournament will bring out the best of both
squads. “The team has a fantastic spirit and technically the players are up there with the best. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the players to shine and take on the challenge”

The Under 15 squad will have a hat trick of hope on their side when they become the first team to ever be represented by triplets. Stephanie, Megan and Rachel Daws, domestically playing for Cumberland United, are expected to take the competition by storm and lead their team to victory.

This tournament will be held over eight competition days and will consist of 10 teams who will be split into two groups. Day one through to five, each team will play four games and have one day as a bye. The top two teams will qualify for the semi finals which will be held on day six, while on day seven, the other squads will have a separate playoff tournament and at the end of the day, the losers of the semi-finals will play for third and fourth place. The final day (day eight) will have the grand final after which the winning team will be presented as the Australian champions.

The girls have been training for this competition since October and look ready to make our state one of the powerhouses of Australian women’s football. All media and general public are welcome to attend the final training session to cheer our girls on. This will take place on Tuesday 3rd July at 6:30PM at the SAWSA home ground, Park 21, corner of Greenhill and King William Roads, Wayville.

The SA Under 15 squad will consist of:

Stephanie Daws Cumberland United

Megan Daws Cumberland United

Rachel Daws Cumberland United

Dana Swift Cumberland United

Morgan Cox Sturt Marion

Ellie Chapman Cumberland United

Stephanie Ladas Adelaide Olympic

Ashlee Faul Adelaide Olympic

Katelyn Tucker Gawler

Sophie Panasoukis Adelaide Olympic

Lilly Rydon Cumberland United

Fran Biello Cumberland United

Jamie-Lee Stiles Adelaide Olympic

Ceryce Guerra Western District

Katie Wychsnja Cumberland United

Ruth Wallace South Adelaide


Coach: Chris Goddard

Assistant Coach: Dee Williams

Manager: Lia Augimeri

Trainer: Bev Quigley


Fixtures

Saturday 7th July SA v NT 1:15 PM

Sunday 8TH July Nth NSW v SA 9:00 AM

Monday 9th July SA v ACT 9:30 AM

Tuesday 10th July WA v SA 9:30 AM


The SA Under 17 squad will consist of:

Emma Campbell Cumberland United

Clair Eglinton Para Hills Knights

Rosie Gardiner Adelaide Olympic

Adelle Guille Adelaide City

Shenae Filer Cumberland United

Angela Fimmano SASI

Christie Hillyer Adelaide Olympic

Monika Holmwood Cumberland United/SASI

Sian McLaren Sturt Marion

Melissa Plant Sturt Marion

Rachael Quigley Fulham United

Chantel Reynolds Adelaide Olympic

Molly Rydon Cumberland United

Eloise Tilley Cumberland United

Cassandra Tsoumbris Para Hills Knights

Ebony Weidenbach Adelaide City/SASI


Coach: Wendy Carter

Assistant Coach: Sharon Black

Manager: Caroline Fishpool

Trainer: Carol Goddard


Fixtures

Saturday 7th July Tas v SA 9:45 AM

Sunday 8th July NSW v SA 9:00 AM

Tuesday 10th July SA v ACT 1:00 PM

Wednesday 11th July SA v Qld 3:00 PM