On paper, Northern NSW Football’s 15 and 17 years teams for the upcoming Football Federation Australia (FFA) Girls National Youth Championships look set to take it to their more fancied rivals from other States when competition gets underway on July 7.
For 15’s coach Krystal Gollan, a team selected with youth as a key ingredient is a decision that will hopefully pay dividends at this years championship but also those to follow. Three (3) players Georgia Peterson, Sarah Grist and Tara Andrews are still under 13, whilst Sarah O'Connor, Courtney Miller, Ashli Deane and Sophie Jones are Under 14 players. All will be eligible for selection again in 2008.
Three (3) players back up from the 2006 National Championships - goalkeeper Kali Mae Anderson; Australian Under 17 representative Rhali Dobson and key midfielder Rachel Wynne. Of the players selected, twelve (12) of the girls have participated in the Johnny Warren Football Foundation program in the last two years and the technique of these players is an integral part of the teams strength.
Coach Gollan is looking forward to the girls attacking mode of football.
‘I’m very happy to be working with such a good group of attack minded players who love to go forward,’ Gollan said. ‘And whilst defensively further work is needed, I’m expecting a number of the players selected to catch the eye of institute and possibly National selectors.’
The 15’s squad fields players from six (6) of the seven (7) Northern NSW Football zones, with Gollan stating that this showed the value of the increased competition at Under 15 level throughout Northern NSW and the benefits of State Youth League players getting regular matches against good opposition.
The 17’s squad also reflects the depth of talent across Northern NSW with players from each zone represented in the Nationals team. Highlighting the rosters are four (4) Under 17 Australian representative players in Emily Van
Egmond, Melissa Redmond, Libby Sharpe and Taleah Doyle.
A total of six (6) players from last years Nationals team have been reselected, with Laura Byrnes, Laura Hall, Danielle Buttsworth, Kelsie Redman, Libby Sharpe and Gemma Simon eager to improve on last years 6th place, with a spot in the Top 4 the objective.
Four (4) players have been picked for the first time in the Northern team and include Sophie Towner, Ashley Gordon, Gabriel Macdonald and Rhianni Cipta.
For some of the squad, this may be a final chance to impress selectors and open the door for a future professional career in the sport according to 17’s coach Anthony Richards.
‘I’m confident the girls are ready. They have really worked hard to secure their place in the team and collectively are looking forward to the challenge of competing at the highest possible youth level within Australia,’ Richards said. ‘We have a good mix of youth in Emily Van Egmond being the youngest who will turn 14 at this years championship and the maturity of
outgoing captains Laura Hall and Laura Byrnes.’
The FFA Girls National Youth Championships get underway at BCU International Stadium at Coffs Harbour from Saturday July 7th and continue until Saturday July 14th.
For 15’s coach Krystal Gollan, a team selected with youth as a key ingredient is a decision that will hopefully pay dividends at this years championship but also those to follow. Three (3) players Georgia Peterson, Sarah Grist and Tara Andrews are still under 13, whilst Sarah O'Connor, Courtney Miller, Ashli Deane and Sophie Jones are Under 14 players. All will be eligible for selection again in 2008.
Three (3) players back up from the 2006 National Championships - goalkeeper Kali Mae Anderson; Australian Under 17 representative Rhali Dobson and key midfielder Rachel Wynne. Of the players selected, twelve (12) of the girls have participated in the Johnny Warren Football Foundation program in the last two years and the technique of these players is an integral part of the teams strength.
Coach Gollan is looking forward to the girls attacking mode of football.
‘I’m very happy to be working with such a good group of attack minded players who love to go forward,’ Gollan said. ‘And whilst defensively further work is needed, I’m expecting a number of the players selected to catch the eye of institute and possibly National selectors.’
The 15’s squad fields players from six (6) of the seven (7) Northern NSW Football zones, with Gollan stating that this showed the value of the increased competition at Under 15 level throughout Northern NSW and the benefits of State Youth League players getting regular matches against good opposition.
The 17’s squad also reflects the depth of talent across Northern NSW with players from each zone represented in the Nationals team. Highlighting the rosters are four (4) Under 17 Australian representative players in Emily Van
Egmond, Melissa Redmond, Libby Sharpe and Taleah Doyle.
A total of six (6) players from last years Nationals team have been reselected, with Laura Byrnes, Laura Hall, Danielle Buttsworth, Kelsie Redman, Libby Sharpe and Gemma Simon eager to improve on last years 6th place, with a spot in the Top 4 the objective.
Four (4) players have been picked for the first time in the Northern team and include Sophie Towner, Ashley Gordon, Gabriel Macdonald and Rhianni Cipta.
For some of the squad, this may be a final chance to impress selectors and open the door for a future professional career in the sport according to 17’s coach Anthony Richards.
‘I’m confident the girls are ready. They have really worked hard to secure their place in the team and collectively are looking forward to the challenge of competing at the highest possible youth level within Australia,’ Richards said. ‘We have a good mix of youth in Emily Van Egmond being the youngest who will turn 14 at this years championship and the maturity of
outgoing captains Laura Hall and Laura Byrnes.’
The FFA Girls National Youth Championships get underway at BCU International Stadium at Coffs Harbour from Saturday July 7th and continue until Saturday July 14th.
