The Junior Matildas have named their 24 player squad which will assemble in Melbourne at the start of next month for a training camp as they begin preparations for the AFC Women’s U17 Asian Cup which is scheduled for 2026.
All of the girls chosen for this camp are within the U15 age group allowing them to integrate with the squad with the idea being to utilise many of the same players in 2026 for the Asian Cup.
There is a large Sydney FC contingent from the squad with six of the 24 calling Sydney FC home.
Ninja A-League squad member Rubi Sullivan joins five from the Sydney FC Female Development Squad in this team including Claire Corbett, Matilda Diaz-Wadewitz, Zoe Panagopoulos, Willa Pearson & Abbie Puckett.
Sullivan also came through the Female Development Squad last season and received her first professional contract this season.
Ante Juric along with Assistant Coach Tom Whiteside oversee the Female Development Squad program and the Ninja A-League Championship winning coach is thrilled to see the program continue to provide a pathway for talented players to success.
“These players have worked extremely hard within our development system and deserve this recognition they are getting,” Juric said.
“They are players of immense talent and we see a bright future for them here at Sydney FC.
“As a club we look forward to having an important part to play in their development over the next few years.
“In addition we are looking forward to identifying and developing new players and helping them reach the next level, be it to the A-League women’s squad and or Junior National teams,” he concluded.
Currently, alongside Rubi Sullivan receiving a scholarship contract this season, Clare Corbett and Willa Pearson have been training full time with the Ninja A-League team this season.
Abbie, Matilda and Zoe are still part of the Sydney FC Female Development Squad and they are very close to gaining A-League training opportunities in the future.
The camp will be held at the Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University in Melbourne and the seven-day training camp will run from 2 – 8 December 2024.
