The original squad of 30 players for the tourney which will be held in Sabah, Malaysia from May 20 to June 6, was whittled down to 22 players.

"The selection of six players in the squad is a huge endorsement for the success of the Johnny Warren Program, and the pivotal role its playing in the development of young elite footballers in New South Wales," said Foundation Chief Executive Francis Awaritefe.

"This demonstrates the Johnny Warren Program is working hard, to produce players with the technical quality to meet its stated aim of lifting the technical quality of Australian football to match the superpowers of world football.

"We congratulate these young players on achieving selection for the inaugural Qantas Australia U13
team for the first time."

Foundation Chairman Brian Hastings added: "Johnny Warren passionately believed in the development of young players with ability into technically gifted footballers with the potential to become world class.

"Together with the recent launch of the National Curriculum by the FFA, we're well on the way to achieving that goal."

Johnny Warren Graduates

Richard Blanco (Sutherland Sharks/ NSW),
Noah Chianese (Blacktown City Demons/ NSW),
Vincent Giannini (Sydney Olympic/ NSW),
Kevin Ly (Blacktown City Demons/ NSW),
Jordan Nadalin (Blacktown City Demons/ NSW),
Jaiden Walker - (South Lismore/NNSW)

Since the inception of the JWFF Program in 2005, seven boys and eleven girls have represented Australia at U17 level. It is free for junior elite footballers and is run in partnership with Football NSW and Northern NSW Football.