20 under 20: Meet SA’s future Matildas and Socceroos
The nation has been swept by soccer fever with these young gun South Aussies dreaming of pulling on the boots for the Matildas and Socceroos. See the 20 under 20 list.
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The nation is once again being swept by soccer fever with the countdown to the Tillies coming to town officially on.
As Adelaide dons the green and gold to celebrate the long-awaited return of the Tillies, The Advertiser is putting a spotlight on South Australia’s rising stars.
It comes as female participation rates increased 24 per cent in SA since last year, as the legacy of the FIFA Women’s World Cup takes shape across the state according to Football SA data.
“There are 1300 new female players to the game this year compared to 2023 figures,” chief executive Michael Carter said.
“That equates to in excess of 80 new teams to the game. The growth has been seen
across all age levels and shows no sign of slowing given the popularity of football in South Australia.”
From a talented winger who went viral for scoring a bicycle kick goal to the youngest player to debut for Adelaide United, meet SA’s next generation of Matildas and Socceroos.
Sian Dewey, 16
Club: Adelaide United
Position: Midfielder
At just 16, Sian Dewey has already made a name for herself on the world stage as part of the Junior Matildas squad.
The Tea Tree Gully teen recently travelled to Indonesia for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup which she said was an “amazing experience.”
“I can’t quite put into words the feeling I have when I play for the Junior Matildas,” she said.
“Being able to represent my country certainly has been one of the greatest moments in my life.”
Earlier this year, she made her A-League debut with Adelaide United and said it was an “honour” to represent her state.
“When I was younger I had always wanted to play for Adelaide United,” she said.
“Putting on the kit and playing for them was a great feeling of accomplishment.”
She fell in love with the sport at a young age, joining the Tea Tree Gully soccer club when she was five after seeing how much fun her older brother and best friend had on the field.
“When I was 3-4 I did dance, but my older brother and best friend played soccer for Tea Tree Gully,” she said.
“I would always go to their trainings and kick the ball on the side with my Dad [and] seeing all of the other kids play and have fun inspired me to want to play.
“I enjoyed doing that way more than I liked dancing, so I begged my mum to let me play in a proper team.”
At 11, she was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a type of inflammatory arthritis, but has never let it stop her from chasing her dreams.
“It was very hard to lift my arms some mornings and dress myself, as I was in a lot of pain.
“I think the main thing that has helped me has been consistency, and trusting that it will all get better as well as seeing it progressively improve from medications.
“I do extra things to take care of my body that a lot of other players don’t have to do, but I know that it’s all to help me so that I can keep playing.”
With a bright future ahead of her in soccer, she hopes to one day play in the Liga F in Spain or play for Liverpool and “of course” the Matildas.
Miley Grigg, 15
Club: Adelaide United, U17 National team, NTC
Position: Midfielder
At 15, Gawler teen Miley Grigg has already made history as Adelaide United’s youngest player to debut last year – only a week after signing to a youth development contract with the club.
Since starting her football journey in 2018, Grigg has gone from strength to strength, joining the Football NTC program in 2019 and representing the state in the National Futsal Championships in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
She has also proved herself to be a future Tillie in the making, being picked for the U-17 Women’s National Team earlier this year after impressing in the NTC program.
Feyzo Kasumovic, 16
Club: Adelaide United
Position: Defender
At 16, Feyzo Kasumovic is making big waves in the football scene as a member of the Adelaide United Youth Squad.
Along with teammates Amlani Tatu and Malual Nichola, the young defender was selected to join the Subway Joey’s squad, taking part in an intensive two-week camp in Italy in April.
In 2022, Kasumovic attended the under-14 National Youth Championships and was the under-15 league winner.
The following year he was selected in the under-15 National Youth Championships and represented the state as part of the Football South Australia (FSA) under-18 side.
Amlani Tatu, 15
Club: Adelaide United
Position: Winger
Amlani Tatu is a name you’ll want to remember with the 15-year-old already cemented as a star on the rise following an explosive NPL debut this season.
In April, Tatu was one of three young Red’s selected for the Subway Joey’s squad and part of their 4-3 win against Switzerland U-16 in which he scored his first goal for Australia.
Last year, the promising winger was a standout at the Under-15 National Championships, scoring twice for South Australia.
He also went viral for scoring an impressive bicycle kick during last year’s African Nations Cup which was captured by Red’s star Nestory Irankunda.
Malual Nichola, 16
Club: Adelaide United
Position: Defender
Nichola was part of the Football SA Development Squads before joining the Reds youth team this year.
The 16-year-old was also part of the Adelaide United Youth trio to be picked for the Subway Joey’s squad, taking part in an intensive two-week camp in Italy in April.
As part of the Joey’s starting squad, he helped his team achieve a 4-3 win over Switzerland U-16.
Angus Van Rooijen, 16
Club: Adelaide Croatia Raiders (NPL U18s and Reserves)
Position: Goalkeeper
Angus Van Rooijen was only four years old when he first started playing soccer and has since gone on to represent Port Lincoln at three SAPSASA’s, three country championships, and two state championships.
After a couple years playing for Sekol Masters, he made the move to Northen Demons, where he played one season for their U15s and won Best and Fairest.
He stayed on for another season, playing in their U18s and Reserves team before representing FSA in the U16s Regional Boys team at the SingaCup – Asia’s Premier International Youth Football Tournament.
From this, he caught the eye of the Croatia Raiders and has been playing for their U18s and Reserves team since.
Isaiah Spinks, 14
Club: Para Hills Knights, Lincoln City Raiders
Position: Striker
At 14, striker Isaiah Spinks has won the league Golden Boot – awarded to the season’s leading goalscorer – back to back in 2022 and 2023.
In 2022, he captained his team to an undefeated league and cup double in Port Lincoln, taking out the title of Best Player.
He joined Northern Demons the following year, playing the season in both U14’s and U18’s before representing the state at the Singa Cup in the U14s.
This year he joined the U14s NTC training program, moving to Para Hills Knights and travelling from Port Lincoln to Adelaide each weekend to train and play.
Lauren Franklin, 15
Club: Port Lincoln Knights & Metro United WFC
Position: Midfield
Tumby Bay teen Lauren Franklin began playing soccer in 2018 before going on to represent the state nationally just two years later.
A year after picking up the sport, Franklin competed in the SA Country SIP team against metro teams and was selected for the FSA State Development program.
She then travelled to Tasmania to represent the state in the U12 FSA squad in 2020 before joining Modbury Vista U13 squad, playing in their U15 team in 2021-2022.
Last year, Franklin joined Metro United U17s team, winning Equal Best and Fairest.
Jasper Panizzolo, 16
Club: South Coast, Northern Demons U18s
Position: Wing Back, Midfield, Centre Back
At 16, Jasper Panizzolo has spent half his life playing soccer, developing into a versatile player on the field.
He has represented the Lower Eyre Peninsula at SAPSASA twice, Port Lincoln at State and State Country Championships three times, and was assistant coach for the PLSSA U12s State Championships runners-up team.
An original member of the Port Lincoln Development Squad, he plays for South Coast in the PLSSA, once recovering from a broken collarbone to win the end of season cup.
Panizzolo also plays for the Northern Demons U18’s in the Adelaide State League 2 and was recently selected to join the Global Football Network Elite U15/16 Team to tour England in September.
Starr Pedersen, 16
Club: Lincoln City Raiders, Metro United WFC
Position: Centre back, Right back, Left back
Last year Port Lincoln teen Starr Pedersen, 16, seized the opportunity to join Metro United’s U17 team, driving 14 hours most weekends to play the sport she loves.
That same year she made her WNPL reserves debut and has since moved to Adelaide to attend SEDA College’s football campus.
Since starting soccer at six, she has competed in five country and four state championships for the PLSSA.
During which she has had the “honour of leading multiple teams as a captain” including the U16 PLSSA team state and country championship winners in 2023.
She has also won the Val McIntyre Perpetual shield twice in 2020 and 2023.
Noah Ellul, 14
Club: Adelaide United
Position: Goalkeeper
14-year-old goalkeeper Noah Ellul is a force to be reckoned with on the field.
This year he made his senior NPL debut with the Reds and was named Under 15 Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the 2023 National Youth Championships – an award presented to him by Matildas’ Goalkeeper Coach Tony Franken.
It was Ellul’s second time winning a national title after being named the Under 14 Goalkeeper of the Tournament the previous year.
Giueseppe Bovalina, 19
Club: Vancouver Whitecaps, formerly Adelaide United
Position: fullback
Once dubbed one of the A-League’s best young players, Giuseppe Bovalina is making a name for himself on the world stage.
The 19-year-old joined Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps last month, signing on until the end of 2026 just eight months after making his senior debut for the Reds.
Bovalina said he was “extremely excited” for the next chapter in his football career and grateful to Adelaide United for giving him the opportunity to “flourish on the biggest stage of Australian football.”
Earlier this year he was also selected for the Olyroos’ Squad for West Asian Football Federation U-23 Championship in Saudi Arabia.
Libby Davy, 19
Club: Pacific Tigers
Position: Goalkeeper
Since first picking up the gloves at the age of eight, Libby Davy has cemented herself as an elite goalie both in Australia and overseas.
At 12, Davy was selected for the NTC program and went on to sign with the WT Birkalla Soccer Club in 2021 before being picked for the U17 Junior Matildas squad in 2022.
Now in California, the former Woodcroft College student is studying at University of the Pacific, joining their women’s team in 2023.
“She brings international experience to our program, and I know she will compete for a significant role in our team,” said head coach Danesha Adams.
Camila Madirz Figuera, 18
Club: U20 Venezuela National Team
Position: Striker, forward, winger
At 18, Camila Madriz Figuera is fulfilling her dream to represent her country on the world stage, playing for Venezuela in the upcoming U20 Women’s World Cup.
“Since I began playing soccer, my goal has been to represent my country on the world stage. I want to pursue a professional career and travel the world playing the sport I love,” she said.
The former Marryatville High School student has also proved herself to be a formidable force on the field on home soil, being selected for the U17 Junior Matildas team in 2022.
In 2021, she scored the winning goal in the 2021 Reserves Championship Match, securing victory for the NTC Soccer Academy in the Women’s NPL.
Grace Wilson, 19
Club: Adelaide United, Young Matildas,
Position: Goalkeeper
Wilson first started playing soccer at 10-years-old and within two years had already been singled out to play as a goalkeeper.
Wilson, who uses they/them pronouns, played in the Junior Matildas team in 2022 before joining the Young Matildas the following year.
They’ve also played internationally multiple times winning the tournament South East Asian Championship in Indonesia in 2022 and taking home bronze at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup this year.
In March, Wilson made history as Australia’s first openly non-binary professional footballer.
The goalie told the ABC they hoped coming out would help other LGBTQIA+ athletes to feel included and celebrate their identity.
Mia Trimboli, 13
Club: Football SA U15s
Position: Goalkeeper
Wynn Vale teen Mia Trimboli has already attended two of Junior Matilda’s training camps.
Although she usually plays in goals, she is also talented in the field, scoring a goal during a state cup game last year.
Emilia Murray, 19
Club: Adelaide United
Position: Striker, winger
Emilia Murray is on track to becoming a household name, earning captaincy of the Young Matildas in the 2022 Pacific Women’s Four Nations Tournament and being selected in their 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup team.
As a Young Matilda, the proud Dhudhuroa and Yorta Yorta woman also played in the Asian Qualifiers, scoring four goals in that tournament alone.
Murray made her Reds debut against Canberra United in Round 2 of the A-League Women 2021/22 season, citing her career highlight as scoring her first goal against Sydney FC.
Stella Wieczorek, 16
Club: SA U18s
Position: Midfielder
Last year Fulham Gardens talent Stella Wieczorek was selected to be part of the Junior Matildas training camp and had the chance to show off her skills in the NTC challenge.
She is a part of the Henley High School Girls Soccer Program and was part of its successful run, winning five out of the six state titles in 2022.
Florence Russel, 16
Club: Sturt Lions FC
Position: Striker, attacking midfielder, left/right winger
Florence Russell has made a name for herself as a formidable goal scorer and was crowned last year’s top scorer with 26 goals to her name.
The daughter of former Collingwood AFL player Scott Russel also won Women’s State League Player of the Year at Football SA’s annual awards last year.
She played for the Sturt Lion’s junior boys league in the U13s, U14s and U15s before moving to the women’s national premier league.
She finished the 2022 season at Adelaide City FC with three medals and has been mentored by former Socceroo and Adelaide City Striker Stephen Maxwell.
Erin Kontoutsikos, 18
Club: Adelaide United
Position: Defender
Reds young gun Erin Kontoutsikos made her league debut at 17 and has since joined the club under a paid scholarship.
The Seaton teen participated in the NTC Challenge and was part of the Henley High School Girls Soccer Program, helping the school win five state tournaments in 2022.
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