Three months ago, very few would have had Tanaye Morris written down as a potential FIFA U20 Women's World Cup 2024™ prospect.
She was toiling away for Adelaide University in NPL South Australia, having been let go of the South Australian NTC program four years earlier. She hadn't had a great season, either - University ended the year ninth on the ladder, only one point above the bottom, and the striker had not been able to find the back of the net.
Thoughts of representing her country or playing in the A-League Women were far from her mind. Sometimes friends would ask her about her footballing dreams, but the 20-year-old believed that the chance had passed her by. She believed she had already missed the window of opportunity.
"I wasn't sure I was going to get noticed, especially being in my little bubble in Adelaide," she told Football Australia media. "It was something that I never expected, but always wanted."
Football, as in life, is all about taking chances when you get them. For Morris, that came when a Talent Development Scheme (TDS) match was organised in her hometown of Adelaide in May.
"I thought that was a great opportunity to prove myself - and I did," the South Australian recalled.
The Talent Development Scheme is a joint initiative between Football Australia and FIFA. Since its launch on 20 February 2024, 23 events and 37 matches have been conducted across the country.
Over 1,000 players have been assessed between the ages of 15 and 20, and over 320 coaches across the country have been engaged and educated on identifying young talent.
In one of the most important moments of her football career so far, Morris excelled. She scored a hat-trick to draw the attention of CommBank Young Matildas coach Leah Blayney and other staff in attendance.
"I was on a team with all different players across the NPL," she explained. "They did GPS tracking and testing, and all of that stuff, and then they basically just let us play. There was no tactics, nothing. And yeah, we did really well."
Blayney invited her first to train in Sydney with the Future Matildas before selecting her in the squad that travelled over the ditch to take on New Zealand in two friendlies leading into the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup™.
"The environment in Sydney was just insane," she said, "just the intensity and the quality of the girls."
"As soon as I stepped foot into that environment, I felt myself improving a lot as a player."
Morris' national team debut soon followed in the first game against New Zealand in July. After coming off the bench in the second half, it would be the debutant who would score the equaliser to ensure that the team walked away with a 1-1 draw.
Making the moment more remarkable was that the journey to New Zealand was the first time that she had ever been overseas.
She agreed that being able to perform in the biggest moments of her career was something that she prided herself on.
"I think my best attribute is to always give 100% in anything I do," she outlined. "Every tackle, every pass, everything. I will leave everything out on the pitch.
"And I love to run. I love running. I will run continuously until I have to stop. I have that drive, I think, to do well for myself and for the team, and obviously try and score goals to help them out."
Now, the youngster has gone from playing in front of "50 - 100 people" at the NPL level to starting the opening match of a World Cup for her country at a sold-out Estadio El Campin.
While the result did not go the way that the team hoped, Morris was proud of both the team's performance and herself.
"When we were walking out through the tunnel, I was thinking about all my loved ones at home who have been supporting me throughout my whole journey," she reflected.
"It was such a surreal feeling walking out there, seeing all the crowd. It was quite emotional. I was very proud of myself for getting there."
Her family and friends had set up watch parties throughout Adelaide for the youngster and sent her images after the game of how they had gathered to support her.
"My Mum and Dad, they just say, just go out there and play your game," Morris said. "Remember how you used to play when you were younger, and remember that feeling of being out there and do it for that younger self.
"I take those words very seriously because I've been playing my whole life. It's great to be able to put all of those many, many years of effort and hard work out onto the pitch where I am today. Young me would be very proud."
The CommBank Young Matildas are now preparing to face Cameroon in the final game of the group stages. A positive result against the African nation could see them advance to the knock-out stage of a FIFA U20 Women's World Cup™ for the first time since 2004.
"The key on the pitch is us girls as a team really working hard for each other, always communicating, always supporting each other on the ball," Morris said.
"For me, hopefully setting some goals up, or scoring some goals to get on that score sheet. We'll see."
Her message to family and friends back home, who had supported and believed in her the entire way, was simple - thank you.
And for others who have followed her journey, she hopes to provide an example that anything is possible.
"Keep believing in yourself, keep working hard, and whatever is supposed to come to you will come to you," she summarised.
"You'll get noticed if you just be yourself, and put in the work."
MATCH SCHEDULE | FIFA U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP COLOMBIA 2024™
Australia v Cameroon
Date: Friday, 6 September 2024 / Saturday, 7 September 2024 (AUS)
Time: 5.00pm (local) / 8.00am (AEST)
Venue: Estadio El Campín, Bogotá, Colombia
Broadcast: 10Play
