Seven of Sydney FC’s Westfield W-League squad will be assessed by Matildas’ coaching staff as they begin preparations leading into the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
Defenders Ellie Brush, Ally Green and Angelique Hristodoulou, midfielder Taylor Ray, Golden Boot winning striker Remy Siemsen and new recruits Clare Wheeler and Charlie Rule, make-up almost of one third of the 23 player squad who will enter a five day Talent Identification Camp in Canberra tomorrow.
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The camp is to give some of Australia’s most promising female footballers a chance to catch the eye of the Matildas coaching staff, including Assistant Coach Melissa Andreatta.
“Following the disruptions in 2020, this camp is an important milestone for the national team program, and we are looking forward to coming together for the first time since March,” Andreatta said.
“With four major tournaments, the next four years present exciting opportunities for women’s football in Australia. Creating a deep player pool will be important for our success and this is the start of building the best platform possible.”
Sky Blues goalscoring centre-back Ellie Brush is the only player with senior international appearances to her name in a squad that features a mix of young up and coming players from Australia’s youth teams, as well as a host of established Westfield W-League performers.
On her selection she commented: “I’m very excited to be back in the environment and pumped to make the most of the opportunity I’m grateful to have been given.”
Championship winning full back Ally Green says she’s excited about the experience.
“I feel pretty excited, it seems an appropriate time to start opening these opportunities up for girls in my age group and it should be a great experience for myself.
“I’m looking forward to being in that high intensity environment again surrounded by elite coaching staff and great players,” the 22 year old continued.
“It will be a good start for the W-League getting fit and ready for the upcoming season.
“I hope to just train hard and get an extra week of high intensity training under my belt in preparation for this season, and hopefully keep that standard up and see what other opportunities come along.”
Andretta added: “It is vital that we continue to offer chances for players to show that they can contribute to the senior team and in Canberra the selected players will get that chance to push their case for future call ups.”
The training camp will be conducted under strict protocols as established by FFA’s National Teams Unit.
23-Player Training Squad | November 2020 | Women’s Talent Identification Camp | Canberra, Australia
Name |
Position |
Ellie BRUSH |
Defender |
Kyra COONEY-CROSS |
Midfielder |
Cassidy DAVIS |
Defender |
Chelsie DAWBER |
Forward |
Charlotte GRANT |
Defender |
Ally GREEN |
Defender |
Annalee GROVE |
Goalkeeper |
Bryleeh HENRY |
Forward |
Angelique HRISTODOULOU |
Defender |
Laura HUGHES |
Midfielder |
Emma ILIJOSKI |
Defender |
Sally JAMES |
Goalkeeper |
Grace MAHER |
Midfielder |
Courtney NEVIN |
Defender |
Hollie PALMER |
Forward |
Jamilla RANKIN |
Defender |
Taylor RAY |
Midfielder |
Natasha RIGBY |
Defender |
Cushla RUE |
Forward |
Charlie RULE |
Midfielder |
Remy SIEMSEN |
Forward |
Miranda TEMPLEMAN |
Goalkeeper |
Clare WHEELER |
Midfielder |
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