DAY ONE
The 2024 National Youth Championships for Girls take place at the Home of the Matildas in Bundoora, Victoria, between 3-8 July.
The Gold Fields WA State Girls U15s began the 2024 National Youth Championships on Wednesday with a 3-0 win over the Invitational XI.
Theodora Mouithys Mickalad (2) and Jessica Johnson got the goals for WA against a team composed of talented Indigenous players from across Australia.
However, it was a tough opening day for the Gold Fields WA State Girls U16s.
Things began brightly for the WA side with a header by Sam Brady giving them a 1-0 half-time lead against Northern NSW. However, their opponents stepped it up after the break and ran out 4-1 winners.
They then took on the highly fancied NSW Metro team, who were far too strong for the West Aussies.
Meanwhile, match officials Maria Avramita and Samia Omar are representing Football West at the 2024 National Youth Championships for Girls.
While the spotlight often shines on the players, the National Youth Championships are equally significant for match officials.
Football Australia Pathway Manager - Referees Daniel Goodwin says the tournament is a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing the next generation of female match officials.
"For the next week, our goal is to identify our next group of female match officials," Goodwin said.
"They might not be going straight from here to the A-Leagues, but we want to ensure we're getting a group of people who can be educated and developed to the expected level. When the time comes, they'll be ready."
DAY TWO
There was just one game for the Gold Fields WA State Girls on day two.
The WA U15s took on Capital Football in Group A at the Home of the Matildas. Two goals in the final six minutes decided the match in Capital's favour as they claimed a 3-2 win.
Andie Williams-Jones and Theodora Mouithys Mickalad (below) got the goals for Western Australia, who are now on one win and one loss.
