Westfield Junior Matildas Head Coach Rae Dower has selected five Queensland players in her 23-player squad for the 2019 AFC Under 16 Women’s Championship Qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic next month.
The five players chosen are Brisbane Roar NTC trio Georgia Beaumont, Charlotte Farmer and Jorja Thomson, as well JCU Strikers FC’s Mia Bailey (pictured) and Eastern Suburbs’ Kezia Pritchard.
Football Queensland (FQ) State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer was pleased with the strong contingent of Queensland representatives.
“This is a great recognition for our players and also justifies the excellent work our development coaches do,” he said.
“I am sure there will be many other players from our state in the next few years who will be able to gain international experience with the Junior and Young Matildas.”
“Female football is one of the key areas in Football Queensland’s strategy and we have exciting plans to work even closer with our community, NPLW clubs and Brisbane Roar to provide more opportunities for talented female footballers.”
As for the tournament itself, Australia will compete in Group D of the 2019 AFC Under 16 Women’s Championship Qualifiers, and will come up against Palestine, Indonesia, hosts Kyrgyz Republic, and Chinese Taipei.
Finishing first in Group D would guarantee the Westfield Junior Matildas a place at next year’s AFC U16 Women’s Championship, which will be held in Thailand.
Next year’s AFC Under 16 Women’s Championship will also double as the qualification competition for the 2020 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in a yet-to-be determined nation.
Dower said she’s excited to lead the group – which includes players as young as 13 – to central Asia.
“I’m really excited to announce the team to take the first step towards qualifying for the 2020 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup,” said Dower.
“We’ve been able to see them [the players] play at the National Training Centre and National Youth Championships.”
“We’ve selected a balanced team with plenty of skill and creativity and we’re really looking forward to our first game [against Palestine] on September 17.
“The depth and quality of players across this age group is increasing exponentially and it is a real privilege to be able to help them take this step towards achieving their goal of one day become a Westfield Matilda.”
Following their first match against Palestine, the Westfield Junior Matildas will play Indonesia on September 19, then hosts Kyrgyz Republic on September 21, rounding out their qualification campaign against Chinese Taipei on September 23.
2019 AFC U16 Women’s Championship Qualifiers – Westfield Junior Matildas 23-Player Squad
Name | Member Federation | Club |
Josephine Dubbert | Capital Football | Cooma Tigers |
Emma Ilijoski | Capital Football | Canberra United Academy |
Mia Bailey | Football Queensland | JCU Strikers FC |
Georgia Beaumont | Football Queensland | Brisbane Roar NTC |
Charlotte Farmer | Football Queensland | Brisbane Roar NTC |
Jorja Thomson | Football Queensland | Brisbane Roar NTC |
Kezia Pritchard | Football Queensland | Eastern Suburbs |
Alana Jancevski | Football Federation Victoria | FFV NTC |
Nia Stamatopoulos | Football Federation Victoria | FFV NTC |
Paige Zois | Football Federation Victoria | FFV NTC |
Olivia De La Harpe | Football New South Wales | FNSW Institute |
Jordan Jasnos | Football New South Wales | Riverina Rhinos |
Kahli Johnson | Football New South Wales | Manly United FC |
Darcey Malone | Football New South Wales | FNSW Institute |
Holly McNamara | Football New South Wales | FNSW Institute |
Jessika Nash | Football New South Wales | FNSW Institute |
Charlize Rule | Football New South Wales | FNSW Institute |
Tijan McKenna | Football West | Cockburn City SC |
Isabella Wallhead | Football West | Football West NTC |
Teagan Douglas | Northern NSW Football | Newcastle Jets Academy |
Kirsty Fenton | Northern NSW Football | Newcastle Jets Academy |
Ruby Jones | Northern NSW Football | Newcastle Jets Academy |
Josie Morley | Northern NSW Football | Newcastle Jets Academy |
2019 AFC U16 Women’s Championship Qualifiers – Westfield Junior Matildas Match Schedule
Palestine v Westfield Junior Matildas
Date: Monday, 17 September 2018
Venue: Dolon Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Kick-off: 1pm (local), 5pm (AEST)
Westfield Junior Matildas v Indonesia
Date: Wednesday, 19 September 2018
Venue: Dolon Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Kick-off: 1pm (local), 5pm (AEST)
Kyrgyz Republic v Westfield Junior Matildas
Date: Friday, 21 September 2018
Venue: Dolon Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Kick-off: 1pm (local), 5pm (AEST)
Westfield Junior Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Sunday, 23 September 2018
Venue: Dolon Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Kick-off: 1pm (local), 5pm (AEST)
Image: Football Federation Australia