Rosie McMahon, 14, takes major steps towards Australian football team dream

A Sunshine Coast female football talent has made massive inroads into her professional dream after being selected in an Australian Matildas U17 squad despite being only 14.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College student Rosie McMahon. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College student Rosie McMahon has edged another step closer to her elite level dream after impressing selectors at a series of junior Matildas training camps after ditching cricket.

At the start of 2023 McMahon said she made the tough decision to focus on football and unfortunately had to pull out of some high-level cricket commitments.

The 14-year-old, who currently plays football with the QAS U15 Girls team in the NPL Women’s U23 competition, was selected alongside Sunshine Coast Wave and Kawana Waters State College talent Amber Faherty for the second junior Matildas training camp in Sydney.

McMahon has now progressed to the third and final extended squad training camp before head coach Rae Dower selects a 23-player squad for the Asian Cup Qualifiers in Mongolia in April.

The grade 10 student said the last few months had been ‘hectic’.

“The training camp in Sydney was a great experience to train with some very talented girls and learn new football strategies from the Australian coaches,” she said.

“I am still surprised that I am in the Junior Matildas extended squad as it is such a wonderful honour to be selected to represent my country in the sport I love.”

Rosie McMahon in action for the U17 junior Matildas.

McMahon said she hoped to put her best foot forward before a final five players were cut from the squad.

“This will be my first time going to the AIS in Canberra as an athlete, so I am really looking forward to using the facilities and catching up with my teammates from around Australia,” she said.

“It’s my last opportunity to push for selection to be named in the final squad of 23.

“Rae provides great guidance and is a very knowledgeable coach.

“She’s got great quotes, helps me with my game awareness and positioning and she loves to make training fun which I love too.”

McMahon was awarded the First Nations 2022 Next Gen Athlete of the Year at the Sunshine Coast Sports Awards on March 22.

“I was surprised and humbled with this announcement and really honoured,” she said.

“It is fantastic to see so many sportspeople, coaches and volunteers on the Sunshine Coast getting recognition for their achievements.”

McMahon thanked the support of her parents and the Flinders Elite Athlete Program for helping her juggle her sporting and academic commitments.

Originally published as Rosie McMahon, 14, takes major steps towards Australian football team dream