ASA: The best young female footballing talent from around the country converges on Valentine Sports Park in Sydney’s west this weekend for the 2004 version of the Qantas National Talent Identification Championships – Women’s U15 and U17. The action kicks off Saturday 3 July, with the champions to be decided the following Saturday 10 July.

For the first time since 2000, a full contingent of ten teams are contesting both the Junior (U15) and Youth (U17) divisions – Australian Capital Territory, NSW Metropolitan, NSW Country, Northern NSW, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The teams are split into two pools with the preliminary round to be followed by crossover semi finals and a grand final (as well as playoffs to decide the other placings).

EVERYTHING TO PLAY FOR

There is the traditional rivalry between States in fighting it out for the crown of national champions. Selection for one’s State Team is an achievement in itself; but for those who aspire to even greater heights, there is plenty more to strive for.

The advent of the FIFA U19 Women’s World Championship, the first of which was contested in 2002 and is staged every two years, brings an entire new significance to the annual national championships event. Every player at the nationals – including those from the smaller States and country regions – has the opportunity to stake their claim for future honours on the world stage with the Qantas Young Matildas and Qantas Matildas.

Sixteen-year-old Sally Shipard (pictured right), who hails from the NSW country town of Wagga Wagga, has provided added inspiration to youngsters with her selection last week for the Olympic Games Team. Twelve months ago, the Qantas National Talent Identification Championships was the highest level of competition in which she had competed. Shipard has since gone on to play WNSL and for the Qantas Young Matildas, and is now bound for Athens 2004.

YOUTH CONTENDERS

The star-studded New South Wales Metropolitan claimed the title at last year’s Youth Championship (then U18s). NSW Metro swept aside all opposition, coming away with a perfect win record from the seven round-robin matches. With no final last year, they all but clinched the crown when they crushed main rivals Queensland 4-0 on Day Four of competition. The Blues would again be considered one of the favourites, despite their 2003 big names now being too old for this level. WNSL players Danielle Brogan and Simone Graham are the only two survivors from the 2003 champion side, but are joined by no less than twelve of the 2003 Junior (U16) team, who finished runners-up.

Queensland have Qantas Young Matildas Alannah Reed and Kim Carrol as their two remaining from last year’s Youth campaign, along with two other WNSL players and a total of nine of their 2003 champion Junior side. It adds up to a formidable side confident of claiming the silverware.

However, with the seasonal move back to a younger age group from last year (U18 to U17), as well as the moving on of many of the established stars in terms of age eligibility, this year’s Youth championship may well be a much tighter affair all-round, the other teams eager to knock off the bigger States.

JUNIOR PROSPECTS

Predicting the top performers in the Juniors is usually a more difficult task, with obviously a much greater percentage of first-time State reps, and a greater rate of emerging talent. As per the seasonal program which moves in line with the FIFA U19 Women’s World Championship, the Juniors have also moved a year younger than last year (U16 to U15).

Queensland won the Junior crown last year, care of a tense 5-4 penalty shootout victory over rivals NSW Metropolitan after the two could not be separated by the end of extra-time in the final, deadlocked at 0-0. The two traditional foes would be favoured to make the grand final once again, due to their depth and player base.

However, in true Junior championship style, the title is well up for grabs – statistics and reputation count for little in this age group.

WHAT : Qantas National Talent Identification Championships – Women’s U15 and U17

WHEN : 3-10 July 2003

WHERE : Valentine Sports Park, Meurants Lane, Glenwood