Tasmanian trio Summer Neal, Sophie Munnings and Ebony Pitt make Australian side for International Futsal Alliance World Championship

The makeup of an Australian side set to compete at the International Futsal Alliance World Championship is set to have a major Tasmanian flavour.

Ebony Pitt, aged 14, Summer Neal, aged 15, and Sophie Munnings, aged 15 have been selected to represent Australia in the Under 16 category at the 2024 International Futsal Alliance World Championships in Malaysia. Picture: Linda Higginson.

Three Tasmanian school girls are set to live out the dreams of a lifetime next month when they represent Australia at the International Futsal Alliance World Championship.

Hobart trio Summer Neal, 15, Sophie Munnings, 14, and Ebony Pitt, 14, have all been selected in the 10-player Australian under 16 squad that will compete in Malaysia on August 18 to 24.

The teenagers all play soccer for the Glenorchy Knights and have represented Tasmania at state level multiple times but the opportunity to represent Australia will be a first for all three.

Aided by coach Claudia Holmes, the girls are currently training three-to-four times a week and have had regular remote catch-ups with their interstate teammates who are based in NSW and Western Australia.

For the eldest of the trio, Summer Neal, the dream to represent her country is one she had to wait a little longer than her teammates to realise.

The three girls are self-funding the majority of their overseas trip. Picture: Linda Higginson.

“In January we all got selected for a state team that competed in the National Club Football Championships in Sydney,” Neal said.

“There were selectors watching our games that then selected us to be a part of the Australian team. I was actually told a little later than both Sophie and Ebony as my email ran late.

“So I didn’t know I was in until after they were selected and it was such a surprise. It was definitely really good to already know they had made the team and it kind of makes me more confident knowing that I’ll have at least two people that I’m really close with.

“I think we are all just really excited to represent Australia but also Tasmania.”

For Ebony Pitt, being selected to play for Australia brings a sense of reward.

“Making it to this level has been tough,” Pitt said.

“But every challenge has pushed us to improve. Being among the ten players chosen nationwide feels like all our hard work is paying off.”

With all three girls required to self-fund their overseas trip, they are hoping to raise enough money to keep the majority of their focus on returning home with success.

“I think winning is always the goal for a tournament like this,” Neal said.

“The overall cost of playing is pretty high so we’ve been doing some clinics with kids in the school holidays to help with our fundraising.

“The money has to be split between the three of us and will be used on accommodation, flights, food, and tournament fees.”

Anyone looking to donate can do so at www.asf.org.au/projects/summer-neal-ebony-pitt--sophie-munnings/tasmanian-trio-set-for-futsal-world-championships-in-august-2024.