Two of Canberra's next generation of footballers have been called into the first Junior Matildas camp in 12-months after COVID-19 put youth national camps on the backburner.
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Canberra United Academy player Nikita Perry and former CUA player Bessie Riethmuller have both been invited to attend the under 17s Australian camp this week at the AIS.
The two strikers were selected for their first national team camp as part of a 22-player squad identified by coach Rae Dower after a COVID enforced 12-month hiatus from camps.
While Dower and her team have utilised online programs to stay connected with the next cycle of players, she emphasised how important it was to come together in person.
"It's been a very long two years and I am proud of how we have engaged with the players over that timeframe. However, there is nothing like connecting in person, and we are excited to return to the pitch with these players," she said.
"We have some incredibly talented up and coming players and the staff and I are really looking forward to seeing what they can produce this week. This training camp and the ones to follow in 2022 are vital for our youth programs.
"The ongoing development of this next generation of players and our ability to scout, guide and nurture them is crucial to building depth in our national team program."
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The last camp for the side was held back in March 2021, before the Delta variant put national team camps on hold.
It includes players born in 2005 only, for the camp from March 28-April 1, and involves players from the ACT, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria.
Due to the strict COVID-19 protocols the camp will not feature any players from Western Australia; however, they will be in contention for subsequent training camps.
"For a lot of players this week, it will be their first national team assembly. So, my message to them will be to come and soak up as much as they can and take as much as possible away from the experience," Dower said.
"If it can ignite a spark within them to go back and consistently work hard in their own environments, then opportunities like this will continue to come their way."
"We want them to bring the best version of themselves to the camp and put their own flavour into training and matches, that's what has given them this opportunity in the first place. I really urge them to play with that authenticity and to play without fear."
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Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
