The next Matildas? The future female stars of FNQ football
As Mary Fowler captures the attention of the nation at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the next generation of female football stars are paving their own way from FNQ to the top. SEE THE LIST >>
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As the FIFA Women’s World Cup captures the attention of the nation, the next generation of female football stars are paving their own way to the top.
Former Cairns junior Mary Fowler (Matilda #202) has starred on the international stage, producing some of the best passes in the tournament to show why the hype surrounding the 20-year-old Manchester City attacker is real.
She follows in the footsteps of an esteemed group of Matildas who charted their paths from the Far North.
Tully’s Kim Carroll (Matilda #133), who played at the 2011 World Cup among her 54 international caps, Stratford trio Alicia Ferguson-Cook (#101, 66 caps), Tammie Thornton (#93, 19 caps) and dual international Joanne Butland (#105 caps), who went on to be an Aussie rules star, and Sasha McDonnell (#141, 2 caps) have all represented the country.
As has Mossman’s Nella Bertoncini (non-A International) and a slew of junior national representatives.
But the attention now turns to the future, to the girls who are honing their craft and doing all they can to create an opportunity to shine.
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Hayley Campbell
Age: 15
Club: QAS (previously FNG FQA/Edge Hill Utd)
Position: Central Defender
Details: Currently in the QAS program in Brisbane.
She has always been a player that’s stood out from her days in junior football in Cairns.
A commanding central defender with a good presence complimented with her technical ability to play out and has great composure for someone very young.
A leader in the making.
Emily Carless
Age: 14
Club: Redlynch Strikers United FC
Position: Winger
Emily is a player with great speed and agility and has proven to be a great asset in her team.
Emily secured a spot in the U15 Peninsula School Girls team competing in Brisbane earlier this year.
Lila Falchetti
Age: 16
Club: QAS (previously FNG FQA/Edge Hill Utd)
Position: Central Midfielder
Details: A talented player who has left Cairns in the last few seasons to take up a position in the QAS program.
A central midfielder that covers the pitch well with her work rate and energy from midfield.
Tully Heatley
Age: 16
Club: QAS (previously FNG FQA/Edge Hill Utd)
Position: Attacking Midfield
Details: Current scholarship holder in the Future Matildas program.
Tully, the younger sister of former Brisbane and Melbourne City defender Winonah, is a player with a bright future in the game, and is also, in the QAS playing senior NPL football in Brisbane.
Technically gifted, the former Cairns State High School star is able to change the game with her brilliance.
She has always been a standout in the region and is deserving of her current form at the moment playing in Brisbane.
National Honours at Youth level are not far away.
Taryn Knight
Age: 16
Club: Edge Hill United
Position: Attacking Midfield
Details: Taryn, has great potential to succeed further in the game. A natural attacking player, she has a good eye for goal but has complimented this with work ethic. Her ability to also play in multiple roles as an attacker or midfielder, is an added bonus.
Tanay Martin
Age: 15
Club: FNG FQA/Edge Hill Utd
Position: Central Defender
Details: Tanay, has always showed great ability and talent. Her natural athletic ability gives her a strong presence as a central defender. Together with her strong passing range and reading of the game, she is one to keep an eye on. Injuries have been a bit of an Achillies heel for her, but she has great determination to succeed.
Valentina Oberdan
Age: 14
Club: Leichardt FC
Position: Attacking Midfield/winger
Details: Athletic attacking player with plenty of speed. Complements this with her goal scoring ability.
Currently leading the golden boot race in the FQPL-FNG Womens competition.
Loraine Paguiligan
Age: 17
Club: Edge Hill United FC
Position: Central Midfield
Details: Composed and great distribution as a central defender and midfielder. Like a lot of talented youth players in the region, Loraine has been playing senior football for quite some sometime. A talented player that needs to possibly may look at further opportunities outside of the region to continue her development to play at higher levels.
Payton Rose
Age: 13
Club: FNG FQA/Marlin Coast FC
Position: Central Midfield
Details: Payton has been a standout performer all throughout junior age groups. It’s only a matter of time before we get to see her on the State Representative scene. Composed ball player from midfield. For someone so young, she reads the game well and always seems to have a lot of time on the ball. If she can continue to develop and improve, the future looks bright for Payton.
Caydence Russell
Age: 14
Club: Redlynch Strikers United FC
Position: Attacking Midfield
Caydence is an explosive player going forward, with great foot skills and shows great strength and accuracy when striking the ball. Caydence has worked hard on her improving her kicking style and this has paid off this season. She was selected in the U15 Peninsula School Girls team and also represents her school in her JSS School Team.
Eliza Sailor-Tabuai
Age: 15
Club: Southside Comets FC
Position: Left Wing/Right Wing/Striker
Sailor-Tabuai was selected for the Australian Indigenous Koalas squad in early 2023. She has
also represented the U19 Peninsula team and the U16 FQ Academy TSP squad.
At club level she has scored 11 goals in 11 games so far for Southside in the FQPL Far North Women’s league.
Eliza is known to get the crowd on their feet. She’s dazzling and explosive with the ball at her feet who can tear apart any defence with her dribbling abilities.
Eve Stuart
Age: 18
Club: Redlynch Strikers United FC
Position: Centre Back, Midfield
Eve made selection in the U19 Peninsula School Girls team, and recently competed at the OFC U19 World Cup with the Samoan National Squad where the team won bronze.
Eve, displays great composure and strength in her defensive roles with her Redlynch Strikers team.
Leitu Wallwork
Age: 16
Club: Edge Hill United FC
Position: Central Midfield
Details: A composed player in the midfield with good passing range, play making ability and gives a lot for her team. A calm presence and hard worker.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
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