Leah Davidson’s junior Palm Beach coach reflects on how the newest Matilda was always destined for success

Leah Davidson’s junior coach has recalled the 13-year-old who was destined for success after she scored in her first Matildas start. Inside her rise from the Gold Coast to the big time.

Leah Davidson etched her name into Matildas history as an international goalscorer against Chinese Taipei on Saturday night.

However, long before Davidson’s delicately-placed burst the visitor’s net in the sixth minute of the GHMBA Stadium friendly in Geelong, she was a humble teen with “something special” carving the fields of Palm Beach Soccer Club on the Gold Coast.

“She was a fantastic little player … she was identified as one of the better players in Queensland at 13,” reflected Davidson’s under-13 Palm Beach coach Barry Saunders, who now heads the club’s female football program.

“She was a talented young girl coming through and she was a great person, very coachable, very humble, we worked really closely.

“They’re a lovely family … she always had something special about her at a young age for sure.

“She was a coachable young girl with a bit of natural ability and drive and desire, she never thought she was better than anyone else either.

“She made great decisions on and off the park.”

Leah Davidson (left) with her Palm Beach teammates that were selected in the Queensland under-13 squad. Picture: Supplied.

The now 23-year-old Davidson earnt Matildas cap no. 232 in her debut off the bench in the Matildas 3-1 win in the first friendly against Chinese Taipei when she was introduced in the 80th minute, before she made her first start in the second friendly and played 45 minutes, crucially netting her sixth minute goal.

Leah Davidson of the Matildas celebrates her first international goal with teammates Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop during the International Friendly Match between the Australia Matildas and Chinese Taipei. Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images.

After starting her senior career with the Brisbane Roar, she is now in her fifth season at Melbourne City and the defensive midfielder has become a pivotal player for the club.

Saunders recalled when a 13-year-old Davidson was part of the Palm Beach junior squad that toured Fiji for the Fiji Cup and how her character shone through.

“Leah’s there among the village kids playing football with them and getting photographs with them,” Saunders said.

Leah Davidson (right centre) poses for a photo alongside her Palm Beach teammates in Fiji. Picture: Supplied.

“She’s one of those people who have got that desire with a bit of ability and the right headspace.

“Talent’s not everything, it’s only part of it, she had the talent but she also had the grounding parents, that’s a massive factor, her parents were just happy she was happy playing.”

Leah Davidson of the Matildas in action. Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images.

“I just had to finetune some very simple things, just try this and try that … you never had to coach, just set her a little task, she’d problem solve herself.

“She was a good decision-maker, you just knew at some point she was going to do well.”

Matildas star Hayley Raso is also a Palm Beach junior, as was former Matilda Aivi Luik.

“I’m not sure if it’s what we do but the culture seems to attract players that want to excel,” Saunders said.

“You’re just privileged to be a part of their pathway at the right time.”

Originally published as Leah Davidson’s junior Palm Beach coach reflects on how the newest Matilda was always destined for success