One Logan City student, along with two other Queenslanders, played in a Young Matildas elite football (soccer) game on Wednesday, 7 April at Valentine Sports Park in Sydney.
Marsden State High School student Aleeah Davern was one of the three Queensland players chosen.
The school facebook page said a huge congratulations to its student.
“Congratulations to Yr 12 Football Excellence student Aleeah who is one of three Queensland players chosen for the Young Matildas to play in Sydney,” it said.
“The Mako Community will be right behind you.”
17 year old Aleeah Davern is a new addition to the Queensland Academy of Sports (QAS) team.
The Young Matildas head coach Leah Blayney said she was a talented midfielder who would get into good positions.
“That’s something we’re looking for in the midfield: people who can break lines and are effective going forward,” coach Blayney said.
Blayney said the elite game is another opportunity to identify the best up-and-coming talent ahead of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in August.
“This is the fourth elite game I’ve held for our new cycle of Young Matildas,” said Blayney.
“I’m running them so frequently because it gives me an opportunity to see a lot more players and a lot more age groups. Across the four elite games, we would have seen almost 60 different players in the past month.
“It is very much long-term thinking. The players come in, they see the environment and what’s expected of them, and I provide them feedback based on our benchmarks. We treat it like we treat a national team camp, so it’s a good experience for them.”
Selection for the Young Matildas elite game is the latest milestone for Aleeah Davern, who moved from Cairns to Logan City this year and has been busy adjusting to a new school in a new city.
“I’ve made heaps of friends through QAS and the Marsden State High School soccer program,” Aleeah Daven said.
“Leichhardt, my club team in Cairns, have been very supportive on and off the field, and without them I wouldn’t be here.
“The QAS is very different compared to Cairns, it’s a more structured and professional environment. We have a lot more programs, like gym sessions, which we didn’t have in Cairns.
“Now that I’m at the first stage, I want to go all the way and hopefully play for the Matildas at the World Cup. I just need to work hard and focus on the small steps to get there.”
