The Girls National Youth Championship 2024 took place in Melbourne recently with Capital Football sending teams to compete in the under-15 and under-16 tournaments alongside their peers from across Australia.
As is usual with competitive football held across a number of days, there was a mixed bag of results for the Under-15 team who began with a loss to NSW Metro before a brace of goals from Lilian Altamore, and a goal from Bonnie Young, secured a win by the odd goal in five in a thriller against Western Australia.
Phoebe Gordon was on the scoresheet as the team drew 1-1 in an exciting encounter with NSW Country, kick-starting a run of four goals in three matches for the young goal-getter as she struck in a 2-0 win over Queensland Silver and a double in the win over Tasmania by the same result.
The team were officially classified as ninth out of the twelve teams at the end of the competition.
UNDER-15
Wednesday 3 July: NSW Metro L 0-3
Thursday 4 July: Western Australia W 3-2 (Altmaore (2), Young)
Friday 5 July: Invitational X1 L 0-5
Saturday 6 July: NSW Country D 1-1 (Gordon)
Sunday 7 July: Queensland Silver W 2-0 (Gordon, Young)
Monday 8 July: Tasmania W 2-0 (Gordon (2))
GOALSCORERS
4: Phoebe GORDON
2: Liliana ALTAMORE, Bonnie YOUNG
Football Australia’s daily news release followed the progress of the under-16 team, who had Canberra United A-League goalkeeper Georgie Ritchie in the ranks stating that Chemistry and cohesion are two of the most important aspect of any football side, and Capital Football’s Under 16’s team has it in bucketloads
Captain of Capital Football Under 16’s side Georgia Ritchie, was leading the charge by championing team bonding within her team. “I think it’s so important to have a connection off the field because that also helps your connection on the field,” Ritchie said. “We’ve been doing a lot of team bonding activities together and making sure everyone is included, and no one is left out. I think it’s really working and we’re really gelling as a team.”
As the tournament reached the pointy end, the CommBank Junior Matilda hasn’t lost sight of what is important to her and the team. “The games have been high-level until the last minute and high intensity action from the start,” Richie said. “I just want to perform well and focus on myself and the team. I want to make sure that the team works well together, and the team is happy, and everyone is enjoying themselves.”
The team earned an opening day win over Queensland Silver but found the going tougher after that losing to Northern NSW, Western Australia, NSW Metro, Tasmania, and South Australia with Maggie Wright and Lucy Cameron on the scoresheet.
UNDER-16
Wednesday 3 July: Queensland Silver W 1-0 (Evans (og))
Thursday 4 July: Northern NSW L 1-5 (Wright)
Friday 5 July: Western Australia L 0-3
Friday 5 July: NSW Metro L 0-3
Saturday 6 July: PM1: Tasmania L 1-2 (Cameron)
Sunday 7 July: 9/10 Play Off: South Australia L 0-2
GOALSCORERS
1: Lucy CAMERON, Maggie WRIGHT, Own GOALS
As well as the playing group, Capital Football provided two match officials to the tournament with referees Vince Cosentini and Lauren Riddel taking charge of fixtures throughout the tournament, whilst Liberty A-League referee, Georgia Ghirardello was appointed as a Referee Coach.
Officials: Vince Cosentini, Lauren Riddel
Referee Coach: Georgia Ghirardello
