By BRIAN STOCKWELL
WITH the Matildas doing better on the international stage than any other Aussie football team in history, it was fitting that a suite of mini-Matildas faced off in the Sunshine Coast Under-10 Mini-Roo competition. Following many weeks of opposing teams dominated by boys, Noosa’s two all-girl teams had a rare encounter.
Noosa has a record number of girl’s teams this year under its first-ever female President, Alinda Bryant – a goalie in the coastal women’s team who took out the premiership and grand final last year.
“We are keen to raise the profile of women’s football and very proud that we have two girls teams in the Under-10 and Under-14 competitions as well as a successful Under-16 team,” Bryant said.
“Already we have youth members from our Under-16s gaining valuable experience as substitutes in our two coastal women’s sides.”
Gel Petit, coach of the Under-10 Pink side said after the game; “Our Under-10 girls are amazing, developing so much over the course of the season, and staying positive despite week after week meeting teams made up almost entirely of boys.”
“Today’s game was a chance to verse each other and test our skills in what turned out to be a very even contest.”
After the game the girls shared a hot chocolate and made a tribute to the Matildas (pictured). Who knows one of them may be a Matilda in the making for the 2027 World Cup.
While Mini-Roos is all about discovering the fun of soccer there was a winner today – it was the Noosa girls.
