Queensland’s Under 14 and Under 15 state teams completed their final matches today at the Westfield National Youth Championships (NYC) for Girls in Coffs Harbour.
Young players from around the state, from Cairns to South West Queensland were part of the group of 32 Queenslanders who travelled to compete in the five-day tournament.
The Under 14 side were in high spirits today after being crowned National Champions in yesterday’s 3-0 win over South Australia thanks to a hat-trick from Cairns Talent Support Program (TSP) player Morgan Stanton.
Their NYC for Girls campaign saw the side record four wins and only one loss, scoring 16 goals throughout the tournament.
The Under 15 state team meanwhile recorded two wins, one draw and two losses in their matches throughout the week, scoring five goals in their NYC campaign.
“The National Youth Championships was an awesome learning experience for our girls and an opportunity to display their talents on a national stage,” U15 State team coach Garrath McPherson said.
“Since the inception of the Queensland Academy of Sport program the coaching staff have seen exceptional footballers grow in all aspects of the game and the promising future for the pathways in this state.”
Under 14 QAS and former Eastern Suburbs player Ella O’Grady was Queensland’s top goalscorer for the week, netting seven goals in her team’s matches to help the Under 14 side to the National Championship.
Queensland match official Laura Krause was also named Referee of the Tournament for the 15 years age group.
FQ State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer, who was in Coffs Harbour for the week, said the increased support from the Queensland Academy of Sport was a key part of the teams’ success, and also acknowledged the role that each player’s junior club had in developing the young players in each age group.
“Winning the Under 14 National Championships is early positive feedback for the QAS full time girls program, but a huge credit is due to all clubs who contributed to the players’ development in both age groups,” Ganczer said.
Congratulations to all Queensland players, coaches and match officials who participated in this year’s tournament.
Click here to see a full list of Queensland’s results.
2019 Under 14 Girls Queensland state team:
Chelsea Fairbairn (QAS, Capalaba Bulldogs), Ella O’Grady (QAS, Eastern Suburbs), Sophie Wood (QAS, Eastern Suburbs), Maya Foster (QAS, Gold Coast United), Charlie Gibson (QAS, Mitchelton), Sunshine Rutch (QAS, Moreton Bay), Mackenzie Nielsen (QAS, Moreton Bay), Gabrielle Spence (QAS, Lions FC), Emelia Meli (QAS, Souths United), Halle Nielsen (QAS, SWQ Thunder), Sarah Andrew (QAS, The Gap), Georgia Dean (QAS, Western Pride), Zara Kruger (QAS, Western Pride), Drew Campbell (Sunshine Coast Wanderers), Sarah O’Donoghue (Western Pride), Morgan Stanton (Far North Queensland TSP, JCU Strikers)
2019 Under 15 Girls Queensland state team:
May Salazar-Kohara (QAS, Eastern Suburbs), Lila Utatao (QAS, Eastern Suburbs), Lilly Rae (QAS, Gold Coast United), Jordana Jones (QAS, Mitchelton), Tia Vela (QAS, Moreton Bay United), Tamar Levin (QAS, Lions FC), Shianna Singh (QAS, Lions FC), Abbi Taylor (QAS, Souths United), Jemma Burton (QAS, Souths United), Maddison Sansby (QAS, SWQ Thunder), Ellen Gett (QAS, The Gap), Brylee Rowbotham (QAS, Townsville TSP), Georgia Fogarty (QAS, Townsville TSP), Abby Vester (QAS, Redlands United), Jorja Welch (QAS), Keva Culkin (Eastern Suburbs)
Images: Northern NSW Football
