Matildas assistant coach Melissa Andreatta looks to squad's future

The Matildas' assistant coach sees similarities between the landscape of Australia's top talent to that of a decade ago, when the likes of Joanna Peters, Cheryl Salisbury and Kate McShea retired from national duty.

An FFA Women's Performance Gap report has raised concerns about the lack of player depth at international level, finding Australia has been over-reliant on core members of the senior team in recent years.

It indicated a need to provide more match-minutes and quality games for Australian players, with this week's camp the first step towards bridging that gap.

Andreatta is hopeful and excited for the Matildas' future, saying the FFA has every intent to build from this platform and strengthen the national team for years of sustained success.

"Our league and player pool has been through a similar transition before in 2009 to around 2011. The landscape changed when [those] retirements occurred, while at the same time the players that are idolised now made their debuts," Andreatta said.

"We've been through this before. Those following the W-League and local leagues closely [know] the talent is there. The opportunity and challenge is that we give all our talents an equal opportunity to succeed.

"What we've been able to pull together, in what is a challenge time, in this women's talent identification camp is a testament to that commitment, an acceptance and knowledge there's a platform that's been built and we're going to continue to build upon it."

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The talent identification camp was relocated from Adelaide to Canberra after South Australia went into a brief lockdown last week.

It follows the capital coming to Cricket Australia's aid, with Manuka Oval to host six Big Bash League matches and two limited-overs internationals featuring India.

The 23-player squad, which includes three Canberra United players, will attend training sessions, educational workshops and contest an internal match.

"I think Australians are really good at making things happen and getting the job done. I couldn't say that any stronger or more confidently with the experience we've had with this camp," Andreatta said.

"Yes, there's been some challenges. We had to relocate from Adelaide to Canberra but it's been very smooth sailing. Our team manager has done an exceptional job, all our staff and players have received the messages and protocols, working in the camp with the restraints like the professionals that they are.

"It's been a great start, very positive."

Talent identification camp squad: Ellie Brush, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Cassidy Davis, Chelsie Dawber, Charlotte Grant, Ally Green, Annalee Grove, Bryleeh Henry, Angelique Hristodoulou, Laura Hughes, Emma Ilijoski, Sally James, Grace Maher, Courtney Nevin, Hollie Palmer, Jamilla Rankin, Taylor Ray, Natasha Rigby, Cushla Rue, Charlie Rule, Remy Siemsen, Miranda Templeman, Clare Wheeler.