Blacktown International Sportspark: Young Matildas receive training boost

The next generation of Matildas honing their talents in Sydney’s west have been boosted by new state-of-the-art facilities.

The next generation of Matildas honing their talents in Sydney’s west have been boosted by new state-of-the-art facilities.

New dressing rooms, classrooms, meeting spaces and storage facilities have been added to Blacktown International Sportspark for the exclusive use of the Future Matildas program, developing the best female soccer talent under the age of 20.

The new facilities come thanks to a $250,000 investment by Blacktown Council.

Matildas Under 20s head coach Leah Blayney said the improved training facilities would benefit the development of these budding Australian athletes, with the program already developing Matildas such as Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Charlotte Grant, Bryleeh Henry, Courtney Nevin, Jamilla Rankin, Karly Roestbakken and Remy Siemsen.

“The recent upgrades and exclusive use facilities have made a significant difference to the Future Matildas program, as they have enabled us to store equipment and conduct all our meetings onsite, which has aided the program coaches and participants to spend more time on the training park and putting into practice what we’ve just discussed in our classroom sessions,” she said.

The Young Matildas are currently training out of Blacktown International Sportspark as they prepare for the upcoming U20’s World Cup.

“Since 2018, we’ve already seen this program bear fruit with several graduates selected in the Commonwealth Bank Young Matildas extended squad for the upcoming FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica and even the senior national women’s team, so I’m excited to see what can be achieved in the next five years.”

Blacktown International Sportspark is home to Future Matildas scholarship holders from across the country between April and October each year.

Leah Blayney, U20 Young Matildas coach

Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale said council was proud to support up and coming female talent.

“Blacktown is a proud sporting city and we have a long history of sporting excellence and the Blacktown International Sportspark is one of the best multi-sport venues in western Sydney,” he said.

“The Future Matildas program is a wonderful initiative to support young women and girls develop the skills they need to rise to the top of the game.

“Women’s football is in a fantastic position in Australia currently, in particular in western Sydney, and the future looks extremely bright.”

The improved facilities could be even more crucial with the Young Matildas preparing for the upcoming U20 World Cup in Costa Rica in August.

This will be the first time since 2006 that Australia will participate at a FIFA U20’s Women’s World Cup and will be Australia’s third overall appearance.