Next generation of Matildas to tackle New Zealand

The next generation of Matildas will gather in Canberra this week for training matches against New Zealand at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

The next generation of Matildas will gather in Canberra this week for training matches against New Zealand at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

Both the Young Matildas (Australia u-20) and the national Under 17 women's team will face New Zealand u-17 in two training matches each over the coming week.

The squads, coached by Alen Stajcic (u-20) and Gary Phillips (u-17), are in the early stages of preparation for their respective 2010 world youth cup campaigns with Asian qualification matches due to start later this year.

Tuesday 15 April - Aus U17 v NZ U17 Thursday 17 April - Aus U17 v NZ U17 Friday 18 April - Aus U20 v Aus U17 Sunday 20 April - Aus U20 v NZ U17 (all matches at AIS soccer field, 10am)

YOUNG MATILDAS SQUAD 17-20 April, AIS

Teresa Polias, Britt Simmons, Carly Ikonomou, Jess Seaman, Kyah Simon, Sam Spackman, Jenna Kingsley, Linda O'Neill, Elizabeth O'Reilly, Loren Mahoney, Nicola Bolger, Karina Roweth, Hayley Abbot, Ashley Sykes, Nicole Sykes (all NSW), Monique Kofoed, Elise Kellond-Knight, Tameka Butt, Sophie Hogben, Casey Dumont, Vedrana Popovic, Ruth Blackburn (all Qld), Ella Mastrantonio, Marianna Tabain, Danielle Calautti, Elle Simmons, Shannon May, Samantha Kerr (all WA), Sian McLaren, Angela Formida (both SA), Emily Van Egmond (Northern NSW).

UNDER 17 WOMEN'S TEAM 14-18 April, AIS Erika Elze, Michaela Hatzirodos, Amy Higgins, Courtney Holmwood, Rebekah Stott, Brittany Whitfield, Sally Thurston (all Qld), Nicole Calder, Ruth Wallace, Ashlee Faul, Lilly Rydon (all SA), Emily van Egmond, Tara Andrews, Georgia Petersen, Sarah Grist, Madeline Searl (all Northern NSW), Nicola Bolger, Teigan Allen, Hannah Brewer, Sharni Brown, Caitlin Foord, Candace Sciberras (all NSW), Jaymee Gibbons, Sadie Lawrence, Samantha Kerr (all WA), Adelyn Ayton (Tasmania), Brianna Davey (Victoria).

New Zealand are preparing to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup later this year.

For match information see www.footballaustralia.com.au