By Georgie Lewis 21/7/25
Above: NSW 15’s celebrate winning their title. Photo: Georgie Lewis
From Ellie Carpenter to Mackenzie Arnold to Kyra Cooney-Cross, some of the biggest names in Australian football began their careers at Valentine Sports Park. For the hundreds of players who competed in last week’s 2025 CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships, that same pathway is now open.
This tournament is not just another week of youth football. It is Football Australia’s most important national talent identification event — a direct pipeline from junior football to the national team. And with Matildas Head Coach Joe Montemurro and other national team staff watching from the sidelines, the message was clear: this is where futures are made
“A Proven Springboard to Senior International Honours”
Football Australia Interim CEO Heather Garriock was unequivocal about the role of the Championships in Australia’s player development system.
“The CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships continue to deliver more football and better football — providing meaningful match minutes, national exposure, and a proven springboard to senior international honours,” Garriock said.
“Players like Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, and Kyra Cooney-Cross have all come through this platform.”
Over six days of competition, the tournament showcased more than 700 players and team staff from all nine of Football Australia’s Member Federations, as well as international guests Malaysia. Two age groups — Under-15 and Under-16 — competed across dozens of matches at Valentine Sports Park in Sydney’s west. In total, over 280 goals were scored.
“This week, over 700 players and team staff from all nine Member Federations — together with our guests from Malaysia — have taken part across two age groups, demonstrating the depth and diversity of emerging talent,” Garriock said.
National Coaches on the Sidelines
Perhaps the strongest symbol of the Championships’ importance was the presence of national team staff. Matildas Head Coach Joe Montemurro presented the championship trophies alongside Garriock, while coaches from across the national women’s team set-up watched every game.
“It has been invaluable having all our national women’s team coaches present — including Matildas Head Coach Joe Montemurro — providing players with a direct opportunity to be seen and assessed as part of a connected national pathway,” Garriock explained.
The Championships sit within a broader development strategy that includes the newly established Perkins XI, Junior Matildas, Young Matildas, and the senior Matildas squad. Each step feeds directly into the next, making the Emerging Matildas Championships a critical point of entry for young players.
“Our goal is for the Championships to remain Australia’s leading talent identification event, while continuing to evolve the educational and development support for players, coaches, and officials alike,” Garriock said.
NSW Sky and Victoria Blue Lead the Way
On the pitch, NSW Sky and Victoria Blue shared the honours. In the Under-15 Championship Final, NSW Sky secured back-to-back titles with a dominant 4-1 victory over Northern NSW. Doubles from Jada Taylor and Tessa Young sealed the result, while Matilda Fleming scored a late consolation for Northern NSW.
NSW Sky Under-15 Head Coach Spencer Prior praised his side’s development across the week.
“I am really proud of the girls and the way that they improved each day in terms of what we were asking them to do,” Prior said.
“A performance like that in the final, where they really didn’t get near us and we controlled the game with and without the ball, is what we are really looking to do so I am super proud of the way they’ve applied themselves.”
In the Under-16 Championship Final, Victoria Blue defeated NSW Sky 1-0 in a tight and tactical match. NSW Sky had not conceded a goal all tournament until Alexis Pantazopoulos broke through in the 26th minute — the goal that ultimately secured the title for Victoria.
Victoria Blue Under-16 Head Coach Santiago Escudero credited his players.
“Honestly, 90% of our success is coming straight from the girls and all their professionalism and commitment. This is a fantastic and mature group. I can’t take too much credit; they are just outstanding,” Escudero said.
“We have played nice football during the tournament. We changed mentality and we came here to be competitive and to win the competition.”
A National Ecosystem: More Than Just Players
While young players competed on the pitch, Football Australia used the Championships as an opportunity to invest in the broader football ecosystem.
Coaches from across Member Federations participated in education workshops, sharing challenges and development practices. A dedicated parent workshop addressed the often-unseen challenges families face supporting young athletes, from navigating high-performance environments to handling transitions as players advance.
On the field, players underwent physical testing to establish individual performance profiles — including sprint speed, jump height, and other metrics used at elite level — giving coaches and national staff another tool in tracking emerging talent.
“Our goal is not just about identifying players but strengthening the entire system around them,” Garriock said.
The Future Is Already Here
For the hundreds of players who laced up their boots at Valentine Sports Park last week, the Championships represented more than a competition. Every match was a trial, every touch a chance to be noticed.
“This isn’t just about competition. It’s about connection — between community clubs, state federations, and national teams,” Garriock said. “That’s how we build the next generation.”
The 2025 CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships are over. But for Australia’s next wave of football stars, the journey is only beginning.
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