A total of 36 players have been selected to take part and hail from the main island of Rarotonga, some of the outer islands and New Zealand.
They will face some nevous moments over the coming months as they attempt to force their way into the Cook Islands squad for April’s OFC U-17 Women’s Championship in Auckland, New Zealand, the winner of which will qualifying for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The World Cup will be held in Azerbaijan from September 22 to October 13.
The Rarotonga-based players were brought together for the first time last week at the Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) academy to begin training under the watchful eyes of coach Angela Valamaka, the sister of New Zealand international Hayley Moorwood, and assistant Michelle Paiti.
The majority of the players invited to attend are regulars in the local Rarotonga league but the coaching duo of Valamaka and Paiti are leaving no stone unturned in their search for talent.
The trials, which will be held at the CIFA complex in Matavera, are not restricted to those who have been officially invited and anyone who qualifies is welcome to take part.
“If you are a keen female footballer born in 1995 or after, you are welcome to attend the trials,” Paiti says.
“This is a great opportunity for any football player who may wish to pursue their career further and maybe one day play for the national team.”
Cook Islands U-17 women’s team trialists
Linade Unuka
Mona Taio
Paulina Morris-Ponga
Lafala Nooroa
Paura Temarangi
Tekeu Toru
Teiti Tupuna
Tetini Tararo
Vaihere Moetaua
Sarah Petero
Atinata Atera
Edna Teio
Xaeon Henry
Imelda Vakai
Leiana Temata
Louana Trego
Tyrina Trego
Karalaina Matenga
Tepaeru Katoa
Brooke Miller
Tuakana Noovao
Raivaru Nganu
Moeroa Nootai
Temata Harmon
Tepaeru Toka
Amanda Mangi
Penelope Charlie
Sarah Ngatokorua
Antoinette Hewett
June Punua
Lee Maoate-Cox
Maeva Carr
Eri Short
Jade Valamaka
For more on Cook Islands football go to www.cookislandsfootball.com