Seven young footballers from across northern NSW have been awarded inaugural NNSWF Regional Future Matildas Scholarships.
Leia Puxty
Kirsty Fenton, Milan Hammond, Josie Allan (Newcastle Jets), Leia Puxty, Madeline Howard (Adamstown Rosebud WPL), Mia Bales
(Football Mid North Coast) and Elizabeth Fraser (Northern Inland Academy of Sport) have been awarded the scholarships.
The seven players range from 15 to 18-years-old and hail from the Hunter as well as the Mid North Coast and Northern Inland regions.
Thanks to financial assistance and support from the NSW government and, in particular, Deputy Premier Mr John Barilaro, Northern NSW Football was able to announce earlier this year a special Regional Support Program for our most talented young female footballers.
This was a three-year commitment from the state government, with the high-level objective of continuing regional NSW’s fine tradition of developing talented players for our respective national women’s teams.
Mia Bales
Northern NSW Football have worked with Football Australia, specifically their National Teams Unit and respective national coaches, over the last few months to support a group of players to come into various camps and games, mostly conducted at Football NSW’s Valentine Sports Park headquarters in Sydney.
Northern NSW Football Head of Football Peter Haynes said he was delighted to award the scholarships to seven deserving recipients.
“We are now at the stage of the program where we want to provide a small scholarship grant. It is a contribution to the many expenses that these players and their families need to meet as they continue to train and play at the highest possible level and engage with Football Australia’s National Teams Unit,” Haynes said.
“It is a small gesture as we try to help these fantastic young players on their football journey which hopefully leads to them representing our region at future FIFA Women’s World Cups.
Milan Hammond
“We hope they go on to have wonderful careers in the game and inspire the next generation of young players coming along throughout northern NSW.”
Inaugural NNSWF Regional Future Matildas Scholarships recipients
Kirsty Fenton – Newcastle – Newcastle Jets
Elizabeth Fraser – Armidale – Northern Inland Academy of Sport
Milan Hammond – Newcastle – Newcastle Jets
Leia Puxty – San Remo – Adamstown Rosebud WPL
Mia Bales – Herons Creek – Football Mid North Coast
Madeline Howard – Charlestown – Adamstown Rosebud WPL
Josie Allan – Newcastle – Newcastle Jets
