The first ever Women’s Talent Identification Camp has begun with the squad of 23 players assembling in Canberra for the week.
After a challenging period of time with restricted national team activity, Westfield Matildas Assistant Coach Melissa Andreatta was delighted to be able to get this camp underway.
“We're very excited for activity to resume across all our national teams," said Andreatta.
"This 23 player group will be working across the four days to show off their talents and breed that competition that we know the Matildas thrive on and show us, the coaching staff, what it is that they bring that can strengthen the Matildas for the years of competition that lie ahead.”
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With players from the Future Matildas program, the Westfield Junior and Young Matildas teams, as well as those who have impressed during the National Premier League Women's seasons, the camp is a chance for all involved.
The opportunity lies in the exposure to the environment, the standards that are required to perform at the highest level, the international level, day in, day out."
"Through this camp, not only will training sessions occur and an internal game, but there's also education workshops that are occurring in the evening with various staff members, and our senior national team players contributing.”
“One of the key objectives is to share with these players who haven't been in the environment recently, or at all, an insight into what it's like and what the standards are to be a Matilda, to stay as a Matilda and to thrive as a Matilda."
I think at the end of the week, what they'll walk away with is a variety of experiences and a very clear message about what that standard is to achieve.”
With four major tournaments over the next four years, deepening the player pool to provide a platform for success is the objective.
Andreatta discussed the potential that is present around the country and the continual evaluation undertaken by the coaching staff across all age groups.
“Those following the W-League and our local leagues closely know that the talent is there," she continued.
"The opportunity in this challenge is that we give all our talent equal opportunity to succeed. What we've been able to pull together in what is a challenging time, in this Women's Talent Identification Camp, is testament to that commitment, and an acceptance and knowledge that there's a platform that's been built, and we're going to continue to build upon it.”
This camp is a first step on the road to improving the pathways and growing the talent pool in line with FFA’s XI Principles and in light of the Performance Gap report.
“It's something that as the FFA, we're considering and looking at how to make possible. We've already committed to this talent ID camp, elite games, and what comes in 2021, I'm sure we’ll build on the platform that's already been set to reduce the performance gap.”
“It is a first off, but as I've mentioned earlier, hopefully not a once off. And there's been a lot of time and effort by people to make this camp possible. And I think it's a credit to them and to the FFA for making it possible.”