A-leagues 2023: Teenage prodigy Indiana Dos Santos making her mark

A number of Matildas’ stars were just 15-years old when they made their A-Leagues debut - now a Sydney teen is on the same path.

Matildas players Indiana Dos Santos at Alliance Stadium. Picture by Renee Nowytarger / 23/06/23

Matildas stars Ellie Carpenter, Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler all made their A-League debuts as 15-year-olds and Sydney FC teenage prodigy Indiana Dos Santos is next in line.

The 15-year-old midfielder broke three records in as many weeks earlier this year – becoming the youngest player to debut for the Sky Blues (aged 15 years, 117 days), the youngest ever A-League goalscorer and the youngest A-League grand final player.

Like many of her Matildas heroes Indiana honed her impressive skills playing with the boys at Football South Coast.

“It’s cool to see that there are pathways there now so hopefully I can follow in (Ellie Carpenter’s/Sam Kerr’s) footsteps,” Indiana said.

The teen said it was a dream come true to finally get some minutes on the field in Sydney FC colours this past season.

“I’ve always wanted to play for Sydney FC so to play for a club that you’ve always dreamt of, it’s just amazing,” Indiana said.

Indiana Dos Santos at Alliance Stadium. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

She trains four days a week with the women’s team and attends training camps with the Young Matildas, while also juggling school at Westfields Sports High School – the same school Carpenter and several other Matildas stars attended.

“It’s pretty difficult. I’m barely at school but I guess you just have to find the spare time, whether it is in the car or even when you are at school, you just have to really concentrate and focus on getting the work done,” Indiana said.

“My mum always says school is very important and that I need an education to fall back on.”

Indiana has set herself some very big goals – one of which is to play for the Matildas and win a FIFA Women’s World Cup, the other to play for Barcelona – but first she just wants to get some solid minutes with her club this A-League Women’s season.

She played 288 minutes across five games last season, scoring one goal and registering an assist.

There are not many sports where 15-year-olds are given the opportunity to compete in the top flight.

“I think it’s really good to develop players from a young age and get that experience that they need for the high level,” Indiana said.

The teen isn’t the only Dos Santos on the club’s team sheet with her 17-year-old sister Jayna also playing for the club.

Teenager Indiana Dos Santos makes her A-League Women's debut for Sydney FC.

“I want to get lots of game time because I think it will be really good for me,” Indiana said.

“And hopefully me and my sister can be on the field together because playing with her will be really cool.”

Sydney FC have taken the top prize in the women’s competition the past two seasons and Indiana said a third was the team’s goal this season.

They will be bolstered with the return of World Cup hero Cortnee Vine, who turned down offers from overseas clubs to stay in the Australian competition – one of just two World Cup Matildas to be playing in the A-Leagues this season.

Indiana said she couldn’t believe her luck when Vine re-signed with the club.

“It is a privilege just to be around her, she’s been on the world stage and she’s a great player,” she said.

Dos Santos in action in the semi-final against Cairns State High. Picture: Lloyd Turner

“It’s great to have someone to look up to, I’m very grateful.”

Indiana said the atmosphere at the four World Cup games she was fortunate enough to watch “was crazy” and she hopes it creates more interest in the A-League Women’s competition.

“To see the support around the women’s game, it was crazy,” she said.

“I hope it continues and we get to have the support like the elite games.”

Originally published as A-leagues 2023: Teenage prodigy Indiana Dos Santos making her mark