Players from across the FQ Academy QAS program will represent Queensland at the upcoming Girls National Training Centre (NTC) Challenge at the Australian Institute of Sport from Monday, 3 October to Friday, 7 October.
Featuring state teams from across the country, the NTC Challenge is an important talent identification event and another step on the pathway to national team selection for Queensland’s best Under 17 players.
“Football Queensland is delighted to confirm the 23 young Queenslanders who have been selected to represent our state at next month’s NTC Challenge, including 18 squad members and five shadow players predominantly from our FQ Academy QAS program,” FQ General Manager – Football & State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer said.
“Following the recent announcement of our Under 14 and Under 16 state teams for the National Youth Championships which feature players from across both metro and regional parts of the state, it is wonderful to have a number of players selected in our Queensland squad for the upcoming NTC Challenge who are originally from the Far North & Gulf, Wide Bay and Darling Downs regions and are now furthering their development within the FQ Academy QAS full-time program and with NPL clubs.
“The NTC Challenge will provide a fantastic opportunity for these young Queenslanders to shine on the national stage, further demonstrating how the FQ Academy program is providing a pathway for Queensland players to representative selection.”
“We’re looking forward to showcasing the talent of some of our state’s best young footballers as they come up against strong competition from across the country at the NTC Challenge,” FQ Academy Director/QAS Head Coach Adam Pengelly said.
“Next month’s tournament will be an important development opportunity for our Queensland players as they test their skills against their peers from other states in a series of competitive matches across the five days.
“Representing the state at the NTC Challenge also provides our players with a great chance of being considered for future national team selection as they compete against high-quality opposition in front of Football Australia national team staff.”
Queensland Squad | 2022 NTC Challenge
| Player Name | Club/Region |
| Mia Bailey | FQ Academy QAS/Far North & Gulf |
| Lauren Vaschina | FQ Academy QAS |
| Halle Nielsen | FQ Academy QAS/Darling Downs |
| Maddison Teakle | Lions FC/Darling Downs |
| Heidi Dennis | FQ Academy QAS |
| Charlie Gibson | FQ Academy QAS |
| Chelsea Fairbairn | FQ Academy QAS |
| Mackenzie Nielsen | FQ Academy QAS |
| Zara Kruger | Lions FC/Darling Downs |
| Aleeah Davern | FQ Academy QAS/Far North & Gulf |
| Shianna Singh | FQ Academy QAS |
| Sarah O’Donoghue | FQ Academy QAS/Wide Bay |
| Jonti Fisher | FQ Academy QAS |
| Ellen Gett | FQ Academy QAS |
| Tamar Levin | FQ Academy QAS |
| Daisy Brown | FQ Academy QAS |
| Ella O’Grady | FQ Academy QAS |
| Holly Bonertz-Benn | FQ Academy QAS |
Queensland Squad – Shadow Players
| Player Name | Club/Region |
| Sophie Wood | FQ Academy QAS |
| Morgan Stanton | FQ Academy QAS/Far North & Gulf |
| Kate Bonertz-Benn | FQ Academy QAS |
| Maggie Barrett | FQ Academy QAS |
| Tonia-Marie Rantucci | Olympic FC/Far North & Gulf |
