FAR NORTH DUO IS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE
THEY are about to embark on a journey to the nation’s capital for a high-performance camp but Molly Waddingham and Aleeah Davern aren’t getting caught up in any hype.
The duo, who play for Edge Hill United and Leichhardt FC respectively in the FNQ Women’s Premier League, will be among about 100 of the country’s brightest teenage footballing prospects for the National Training Centre Challenge in Canberra.
The camp, held at the Australian Institute of Sport, will run for five days and allows national scouts to get an up-close look at the next generation of potential Matildas.
With such a big opportunity around the corner, the girls – both of whom are midfielders and enjoy playing the key role – used their last week in Cairns before the camp to get in some extra training, and win a few more games.
Last week, they trained in Brisbane alongside their teammates for this week’s competition in Canberra.
After playing for Queensland at last year’s National Youth Championship in Coffs Harbour, Waddingham and Davern were invited to train with the Brisbane Roar.
Waddingham, 16, said two camps with the Roar had helped her football develop.
“It was really good. It is a lot different to Cairns; it’s a higher intensity, which pushes us harder,” said Waddingham, a midfielder.
Waddingham, who started playing as a four-year-old, plays in both the Premier League and the 15-16 boys’ competition team.
She has played nine games for Edge Hill United’s U15/16 Black team, and made seven appearances in the Premier League, scoring three goals.
Her goal is to follow in fellow Far North product Mary Fowler’s footsteps and play for the Matildas.
“I want to go to the World Cup one day, and the Olympics,” Waddingham said.
It's a dream shared by 15year-old Davern, who is looking forward to an intense football experience similar to what she enjoys at the Roar.
“The training is harder,” Davern said. “The girls we work with, they are very experienced and know a lot about what they’re doing, and they’re a bit more used to it.”
Davern started playing football in 2013, following her sister into the sport with no expectations, and slowly grew into a talented player herself.
She plays in the Lions’ Premier League team, and has two goals from seven games this year.
Far North Queensland Talent Support Program coach Zenon Caravella said the girls showed a lot of potential.
“Aleeah’s a holding midfielder – she backs up on a lot of play and can get those new attacks started,” Caravella said. “Molly’s a great footballer. She’s someone who can control the game, defends well and is able to have the same impact in attack.”
The NTCC starts today.