Westfield Women's U17 squad named for camp

Westfield Women’s under 17 coach Robert Hooker has today announced a squad comprised of 34 of Australia's best young women players for a four day camp to be held at Valentine Park, Sydney.

Westfield Women-s under 17 coach Robert Hooker has today announced a squad comprised of 34 of Australia's best young women players for a four day camp to be held at Valentine Park, Sydney.

“The squad has some of the best technically gifted young players that Australia has produced,” said Head Coach Robert Hooker.

“It is the start of the serious build up to the ASEAN Cup in November.”

With four players backing up following the Westfield Young Matildas campaign in China earlier this month, coach Hooker believes this experience will be vital to the training squad.

“Emily Van Egmond, Nicola Bolger, Tiegan Allan and Sam Kerr are all backing up after the Under 20 campaign. They will add a great deal of quality and experience to the upcoming camp as well as the ASEAN Cup in Myanmar (October) and Asian Cup in Thailand (November) tournaments,” Hooker continued.

“The Asian Cup is also the qualifying tournament for the Under 17 World Cup so it is very important for the development of this group of players.”

Joining the squad are current and former Matildas and Westfield W-League stars Melissa Barbieri and Joanne Peters who will work as assistant coaches to the team offering the players invaluable experience and knowledge.

“Melissa and Joey have been invited to assist me as part of an initiative to promote and provide elite level coaching experience for female coaches,” said Hooker.

“This not only provides Mel and Joey with hands on experience and mentoring but also adds to the training and camp experience of the Under 17 players - to have current and former Westfield Matildas players coaching and training with them,” concluded Hooker.

Barbieri recently completed the AFC B License in Sydney while Peters completed the AFC C License in Vietnam.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) in conjunction with Girlfriend magazine online is also searching for a ‘cool new name- for the Westfield Women's Under 17-s - and is calling out for suggestions.

For the best name suggested, the lucky winner will receive a Westfield Gift Card to the value of $1,000 as well as a personal stylist for the ultimate formal shopping spree at any Westfield centre throughout Australia.

For more details see the website www.girlfriend.com.au and follow the links through VIP Clubs.

Australia Women-s Under 17 training squad

August Camp Valentine Sports Park, Sydney 13 to 16 August

Teigan Allen (Sydney), Tara Andrews (Newcastle), Nicole Bolger (Sydney), Hannah Brewer (Newcastle), Sharni Brown (Sydney), Ashley Brown (Melbourne), Catherine Brown (Canberra), Nicole Calder (Adelaide), Stephanie Catley (Melbourne), Brianna Davey (Melbourne), Erika Elze (Brisbane), Ashlee Faul (Adelaide), Grace Field (Canberra), Caitlin Foord (Sydney), Caitlin Friend (Melbourne), Michaela Hatzirodos (Brisbane), Amy Higgins (Brisbane), Kahlia Hogg (Canberra), Courtney Holmwood (Brisbane), Samantha Kerr (Perth), Lani Honecker (Huskisson, Alexandra Huynh (Sydney), Alanna Kennedy (Sydney), Heidi Makrillos (Sydney), Courtney Miller (Newcastle), Gemma Pearce (Newcastle), Candace Sciberras (Sydney), Madeline Searl (Newcastle), Rachael Soutar (Sydney), Rebekah Stott (Brisbane), Emily Van Egmond (Newcastle), Ruth Wallace (Adelaide), Jessie Wharepouri (Sydney), Brittany Whitfield (Brisbane)