The Invitational XI, a team composed of talented Indigenous players from across Australia, will return to the 2024 National Youth Championships Girls' Tournament for a second year, supporting the growth of First Nations footballing talent.
This year's team, competing in the Under 15 Girls age group, continues to reflect Football Australia's commitment to nurturing emerging First Nations footballers and providing them with a platform to showcase their skills on the national stage. The Invitational XI will also be competing during NAIDOC Week (7-14 July), an annual celebration of First Nations People and Culture.
The Under 15 Girls age group will run from 3 - 8 July at the Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University in Melbourne/Naarm.
Thirteen different Indigenous nations from Far North Queensland, Northern Territory, NSW and Tasmania are represented in the team, truly making it a melting pot of the best Indigenous female footballers in the country.
The Invitational XI is a team rich with talent and unique stories, like Alisha Mays' (Yalanji, Yidinji, Warrungnu) first penalty kick attempt ever at the 2023 National Youth Championships, Alisha's 'Messi'-like penalty kick went on to become the goal of the tournament. Traveling the furthest distance from Darwin, Northern Territory, Grace Amidy (Wiradjuri), will also make the trip in Melbourne. Ruby Bird (Wakka Wakka), daughter of former rugby league player Deon Bird, this week Ruby is paying homage to her Wakka Wakka lineage through her painted boots, received as a surprise from her sister, painted with Aboriginal artwork for the tournament.
Leading the side in a coaching capacity is former CommBank Matilda and Gumbainggir woman Gema Simon, supported by Technical Director Tim Aitken, Koori man and Assistant Coach for the CommBank Young Matildas.
Football Australia's General Manager - First Nations, Courtney Fewquandie, said: "Football Australia support the growth of First Nations talent directly through the participation of the Invitational XI program at the National Youth Championships. Through the Invitational XI program, Football Australia are platforming undiscovered, young emerging First Nations talent.
"We're in our second year of the program and seeing amazing results. Through the selection process alone we continue to discover highly talented First Nations footballers across the country and creating stronger connections with our mob to football," Fewquandie said.
In a testament to the Invitational XI pathway, 2023 Invitational XI player Lacey Wynne is now making waves internationally, playing in Madrid against top teams like FC Barcelona, Olympic Lyon FC, and Real Madrid FC with WomanGoal in the TXIMIST Cup (Women's International Football Tournament). Other program Alumni include Miley Shipp and Aliyaah Kilroy, named this year in Northern NSW Football and NSW Country U-16 sides.
"What I hope for our girls this week is that they return to their communities with the tools and confidence to pursue their dreams, one day following the footsteps of star First Nations footballers like Noongar goalkeeper Lydia Williams and Gumbainggir defender Gema Simon," Fewquandie continued.
"A major highlight each year has been seeing the connections and sisterhood that naturally forms throughout the tournament, considering the team have only had virtual meetings in preparation for the National Youth Championships, the program's unique approach creates a strong bond and support for each other that transcends the football field."
The Invitational XI U-15 side kick-off for their first match of the tournament at 12.15pm AEST on Wednesday, 3 July.
| Name | Nation | Current Club |
| Grace AMIDY | Wiradjuri- Gilgandra | Darwin Olympic FC |
| Ruby BIRD | Wakka Wakka | Peninsula Power SC |
| Andie CHASELING | Biripi | Central Coast Mariners FC |
| Khloe COOMBES | Wodi Wodi | South East Phoenix FC |
| Cassidee FERNANDO | Gamilaroi/ Moree | Macarthur Rams FC |
| Janali HAYNES | Worimi | Adamstown Rosebuds WPL FC |
| Tikka JEFFERY | Yuin | Central Coast Mariners FC |
| Liani LOXLEY | Biripi | Nepean FC |
| Alisha MAYS | Western Yalanji, Yidinji, Warrungnu | Leichhardt Junior SC |
| Hayley-Ann MOONEY | Wiradjuri | SD Raiders FC |
| Erica NEWTON | Gamilaroi/Gomeroi | Emerging Jets |
| Markie ROBINSON | Wiradjuri | SD Raiders FC |
| Matilda SIMPSON | Murri | Southside Comets FC |
| Lily SMITH | Worimi | Nepean FC |
| Summer SMITH | Kamilaroi | Macarthur Rams FC |
| Jasmin SMITH | Koori | Charlestown Azzuri FC |
| Rihanna TURK | Kamilaroi | Central Coast Mariners FC |
| Taylor WILMOT | Palawa | Manly-Warringah FC |
2024 National Youth Championships - Girls
Venue: Home of the Matildas, Bundoora, Victoria
Dates: 3 - 8 July 2024
This is a free event to attend with no ticket required
Watch every game of the National Youth Championships 2024 live on KommunityTV.
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