Mathison’s big thanks to honour
MERMAID Waters’ Morgan Mathison will use the insight gained from her Commonwealth Games experience to drive Australia’s run at this month’s Youth Olympics Games qualifier in PNG.
Just days after being named in a nine-strong Australian squad to tackle PNG, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu from April 25-29, Mathison was on the Sunshine Coast last week playing for the QAS against the Scottish Commonwealth Games team.
The 17-year-old midfielder said the two-game practice series had been eye-opening, with the lessons learned to prove vital at the five-a-side Youth Olympics qualifier that will offer the top two teams a place at the Games in Argentina in October.
“(Scotland) were really fast, skilful, fit and on the ball,” Mathison, who moved from Gladstone with her family two years ago, said.
“We did really well and I think I held my ground. I played in the midfield, which was tough.
“I’ve always had that goal (of playing Commonwealth Games) so just experiencing it gives you something to work for and gives you an understanding of what it’s actually like. It was definitely a massive step up playing with some of the older Queensland women.”
The Scotland games followed closely on the back of the national under-18 championships in Tasmania late last month, where Mathison captained Queensland to third place.
With Queensland claiming last year’s crown, the Australian under-21 squad member said she was now ready to put the disappointment behind her in PNG.