Future Matildas: 10 of NSW’s best teen female footballers to watch in the future
There are sisters, good mates and teammates. Ahead of the Matildas semi against England, we take a look at the teenagers hoping to be playing by their side in the not too distant future.
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Women’s football has never had more eyes on it and more support than it does right now with the Matildas historic FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign on home soil.
Australia is right behind the Matildas as they prepare for Wednesday’s semi against England in Sydney.
The Matildas have won over a legion of fans with their fight, grit and determination and there’s a new generation of players waiting in the wings to join them in the future.
NSW has always been a mine of footballing talent with the likes of Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy, Caitlin Foord, Clare Hunt, Courtney Nevin, Emily van Egmond and Clare Wheeler
As the women’s national team continues their dominance on the world stage, we look at some of the best young female footballers who will be the future of the Matildas.
Jynaya Dos Santos, Sydney FC, 17, Striker
A rising star of the famous Sydney FC club Dos Santos impressed with her goalscoring prowess on the international stage by scoring three goals against Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, and Guam to help secure Australia’s AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup qualification.
Already part of the Young Matildas program, Dos Santos debuted for Sydney FC against Adelaide United last season after starting her football journey at Shellharbour Junior Football Club - the same club which helped bring up Matilda Caitlin Foord.
Dos Santos also draws inspiration from two other influential forwards, Mary Fowler (Matilda & Manchester City) and Vivianne Miedema (Dutch & Arsenal), helping shape her game.
Indiana Dos Santos, Sydney FC, 15, Midfielder
The young midfielder broke multiple records during Sydney FC’s Liberty A-League Women double winning campaign when she became the Sky Blues youngest ever debutant at just 15 years and 117 days back in March.
Less than a month later she became the Sky Blues youngest ever A-leagues goalscorer with her strike against Perth Glory in a crucial 4-2 victory. She then became the A-League’s youngest ever grand final player in April when subbed on in the final minutes of Sydney FC’s 4-0 win over Western United.
She was with older sister Jynaya, in the Young Matildas AFC U20’s Women Asian Cup qualifiers.
Shay Hollman, Sydney FC, 17, Midfielder
Central midfielder Shay Hollman burst onto the scene as a 16-year old in the Sky Blues Premiership winning squad of 2021-22. Now 17, she played a more integral part of the club’s double winning squad this season, notching up 15 appearances alongside the likes of Mackenzie Hawkesby, Sarah Hunter and Rachel Lowe in midfield.
The rising midfielder star recently captained the U18 Matildas to an ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship in Indonesia and was named Best Player after leading her side to five undefeated matches in winning the tournament.
Hollman comes from a family of football stars with brothers Jake and Corey both playing in the A-League Men’s at Macarthur FC and Sydney FC respectively.
With Hunter and Hawkesby heading off to Europe in the off-season, Hollman will be expected to step up for the Sky Blues despite her younger years.
Tahlia Franco, Sydney FC, Goalkeeper, 17,
Despite her youth, Tahlia Franco has already been earmarked as a rising star of the game and talented goalkeeper.
She was nurtured at Canterbury Football Association and has since represented Australia and made an impact with Sydney FC Women, playing with the Junior Matildas squad which won the AFF U18 Women’s Championship.
Franco debuted for Sydney FC Women on Australia Day in 2023 and played a pivotal role in her team’s 6-3 victory.
She was also recently named in the Young Matildas squad, representing Australia in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers and helping the Young Matildas to qualify for the 2024 tournament.
She becomes a more senior figure around the squad this season deputising for the experienced Jada Whyman.
Kirsty Fenton, Sydney FC, 19, Defender
The 19-year-old defender was one of the stars for Australia at the Under 20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica last year, scoring in front of 22,000 fans against the home nation in a 3-1 win for the Young Matildas.
She then went on to sign with the powerhouse Sydney FC club playing a large role in the teams 2022-23 double winning season with 17 appearances at left-back keeping experienced Kiwi international Anna Green on the bench for much of the season.
A quick and powerful forward thinking full back, Fenton will be a key player for the Sky Blues once again this season as they look to defend their Premiership and Championship trophies.
Maya Lobo, Macarthur Rams, 17, Defender
Recently picked up for the Central Coast Mariners return to the A League Women’s, 17-year-old Maya Lobo’s reputation has preceded her.
Currently gaining solid experience with the Macarthur Rams in the NSW NPL Women’s, Lobo has scored twice in her 16 appearances in the competition so far this season.
She previously represented Football NSW Institute.
Lobo has also featured in the starting line-up for the Young Matildas for the recent successful U20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.
Peta Trimis, Bulls FC Academy, 17, Defender
Another defender recently announced for the Mariners, Peta Trimis has been making a solid name for herself in the NSW NPL Women’s with Bulls FC Academy this season, after previously representing Football NSW Institute.
Netting nine goals so far this WNPL season, Trimis is among the top 10 goalscorers as the competition heads into the crucial stages.
Trimis has been a part of the extended squad for the Young Matildas, accruing game time during the U20 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Sienna Dale, Manly United FC, 16, Forward
Sienna Dale has been a consistent feature for Manly United since being called up to the first grade team this year at only 15-years-old.
Dale previously played in the Wakehurst Tigers mixed league but has been with Manly for most of her junior career.
She scored her first international goal with the Junior Matildas earlier this year and has been selected in the team for the second round of qualifiers for the 2024 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers next month.
Dale is a huge asset for Manly in the WNPL but is expected to be picked up by an A-League Women’s club in the near future.
Mary Stanic-Floody, NWS Spirit, 17, Midfielder
At 17-years-old Mary Stanic-Floody has already been a feature in the A-League Women’s scene for Sydney FC, playing in 12 games during the 2022/23 championship-winning season.
She’s scored six goals for NSW NPL Women’s side NWS Spirit this season, including a brace in round 13’s 5-0 win over Football NSW Institute.
Stanic-Floody has also represented Football NSW Metro during the NTC challenge earlier this year and has been part of the extended Young Matildas squad for last year’s AFF U18 Women’s Championship in Indonesia.
India Breier, Macarthur Rams, 17, Forward
Currently playing for the NPL NSW reigning champions Macarthur Rams, India Breier has been in and around the top level of football for most of her junior career.
She represented Australia as part of the Junior Matildas’ U18 squad in last year’s AFF Women’s Championship.
Breier moved to the Rams this year after previously representing Football NSW Institute and she is a consistent feature for NSW state teams.