Tasmanian teen Emily Navabpour named in Junior Matildas extended squad

A Tasmanian teenager is daring to dream after her selection in the Junior Matildas extended squad. See her story.

A Hobart teenager is daring to dream after her selection in the Junior Matlidas extended squad earlier this week.

South Hobart Football Club’s Emily Navabpour, 16, has been named in the 24-girl squad for next week’s five-day camp to be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

Emily Navabpour, 16, of Hobart has been named in the extended Junior Matilda's squad. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Originally from the United States, Navabpour’s mum is from Tasmania with the family relocating to Hobart last year after living in California.

The talented teen said that it was an honour to be selected and was hoping it was the start of bigger and better things for her career.

“It’s an honour to be selected. It’s a great opportunity and I can’t wait to see where it goes,” she said.

“To get the chance to work with some high level coaches and play with some very high level players as well.

“I would like to play at the highest level of professional soccer in Australia and eventually represent Australia internationally.

“Even when I lived in America I loved watching the Matildas play and they’ve always been someone that I’ve watched.”

Playing centre back in the Women’s Super League (WSL) since moving to Tasmania, Navabpour said the league had given her a great chance to develop as a player and revealed that a Spanish method of play had been a big contributing factor in her career so far.

Navabpour grew up in the United States but moved to Tasmania where her mother is originally from. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I’ve learned a lot from TOVO methodology, which is from Spain,” Navabpour said.

“I’ve been to a couple of camps run by them that have shaped the way I play a lot and how I am to play.

“I think the strengths they (selectors) recognised where being able to see the space on the field, communication, looking for options where the space is and not forcing the ball forward.

“In Tassie especially, there is a lot less numbers (than America) and in America I was playing in a team of my own age but here I have been playing with higher age and level players which I think has been great for my development.”

Completely aware that she will likely be required to move away from the state to eventually realise her dreams of making it professional, the 16 year-old said the choice between representing her former homeland and her current one was an easy decision.

“I would say Matildas (if I had to choose),” she said.

“I think Australia is a great place and I’d love to play for this country.”