NPL NSW Women’s providing Matildas pathway
With the Matildas making a historic run to the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, it’s been awesome to see our national team succeeding against the best talent in the world.
Exceptionally, so many of our stars featured in our own backyard, playing in the NPL NSW Women’s competition in recent years.
Slotting the final penalty to punch Australia’s semi-final ticket has turned Cortnee Vine into a national hero. The 25-year-old was a goal scoring machine during her NPL days, where she played for Sydney University in 2018 and 2019, before joining Sydney Olympic from 2020 to 2022.
On this day last year, Cortnee Vine scored a brace for @SydneyOlympicFC in the NPL NSW Women's against @nwsspiritfc.
The first, a scintillating solo run through the defence. The second, a very familiar finish from the penalty spot 👀 #NPLNSW #NPLWNSW @OurGameAUS pic.twitter.com/N9SRfvDr1L
— NPL New South Wales (@NPLNSW) August 14, 2023
Already a dual-Olympian, dual-UEFA Champions League winner with Olympique Lyonnais and currently at her second World Cup, it’s easy to forget that Ellie Carpenter is just 23 years old. A Cowra District junior, Carpenter played for Football NSW Institute in 2015 and 2016. It was during that 2016 season that Ellie made her Matildas debut, and went to the Rio 2016 Olympics, making her the youngest ever female Olympic footballer at just 16 years old.
Ellie Carpenter
Off the back of a stellar season with Hammarby IF in Sweden, Kyra Cooney-Cross has solidified her starting spot in the Matildas midfield and was exceptional during the World Cup. The 21-year-old played for Football NSW Institute in 2018, and then went on to play for Blacktown Spartans in 2020 and 2021.
Centre-back Alanna Kennedy played for Marconi Stallions in both 2013 and 2014, back when the club was still in the top flight. The Campbelltown Cobras junior helped Marconi win the 2013 Championship with a 5-1 thrashing over Illawarra Stingrays in the Grand Final. The 28-year-old now plays for Manchester City and was selected for her third FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Alanna Kennedy
Since making her Matildas debut in February, Clare Hunt has experienced a meteoric rise and has already become a regular starter in the heart of defence. The Grenfell SC junior played for Sydney University in the 2017, 2020 and 2022 seasons, but unfortunately her NPL career was hampered by injuries including an ACL rupture, shoulder dislocation and fractured tibia.
Coming through the youth teams at Football NSW Institute, Courtney Nevin played first grade for the club from 2016 to 2018, and in 2018 had an exceptional season being named the player of the NPLW competition. The Oakville Ravens junior went on to spend time at Sydney Olympic (2020) and Blacktown Spartans (2021) but now plays club football for Leicester City and is in the Matildas World Cup squad.
Courtney Nevin and Mary Fowler in 2018.
At 20 years old, Mary Fowler is the youngest in the Matildas squad for this World Cup, which makes her international career with the national team and Manchester City all the more impressive. Starting the 2018 season with Illawarra Stingrays, the midfielder made the mid-season move to Bankstown City, and while with the Lions she made her Matildas debut aged just 15.
Clare Wheeler spent five seasons playing for Sydney University from 2017 to 2021, helping the students to 3 consecutive grand finals including the 2019 victory. The midfielder now plays for Everton and was selected for her first FIFA Women’s World Cup.
South Australian fullback Charlotte Grant played for Blacktown Spartans in the 2020 NPL season between seasons with Adelaide United, subsequently signing for Swedish side Rosengard.
Strikers Caitlin Foord (Warilla Wanderers) and Kyah Simon came through the Football NSW junior football pathways before joining the New South Wales Institute of Sport, going on to have successful careers in the W-League and overseas.
In addition to the 23 players selected for the tournament, the next wave of potential Matildas stars features several players who have moved from the NPL NSW Women’s into some of Europe’s’ top leagues.
Remy Siemsen played First Grade for Manly United from 2015 to 2021, scoring 64 goals in 72 appearances. In 2016 the striker won the Player of the Year award at just 16, but this was topped by her 2017 season when she won the Golden Boot award, Player of the Year, and led her side to a grand final victory with a hat-trick. Siemsen now plays for Leicester City in the FA Women’s Super League, and narrowly missed out on going to the World Cup after being dropped from the Matildas extended squad.
Remy Siemsen (pictured right)
Between 2016 and 2022, Mackenzie Hawkesby spent time with Football NSW Institute, Sydney University, Illawarra Stingrays and Sydney Olympic. The midfielder is now ready for a new adventure after recently signing with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Young defender Charlie Rule was a Football NSW Institute player from 2019 to 2021, captaining the side in her final season before moving to Sydney Olympic for last season. She now joins Hawkesby in England with Brighton and Hove Albion.
With a big French move to Paris FC just confirmed, Sarah Hunter will have the opportunity to play in the UEFA Women’s Champions league this season. During her NPL days, the midfielder played for both Football NSW Institute and APIA Leichhardt.
There are sure to be many more young talents who are currently playing in the NPL Women’s competition, just waiting for their opportunity to shine on the international stage.
Written by Annabelle Banfield.
