Victoria's "All Stars", Jessica Au, Ashley Browne and Michael McBride.
The 2010 Westfield National Championships for Girls wrapped up yesterday in Coffs Harbour, with three Victorians selected in the "All Stars" teams.
Jessica Au, Ashley Brown, and under 15’s coach, Michael McBride, and his support group, were selected took part in the “All Stars” matches.
The showpiece finale of the tournament saw the Group A Champions, New South Wales Metro, in both the under 15 and under 17 age groups, face up against the best players from all other competing teams in the age group.
The team was picked by a panel of experts including Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni, Young Matildas Head Coach Geoff Hopkins, Assistant Technical Director Alistair Edwards, as well as input from numerous National Training Centre coaches from around the country.
Young Victorian midfielder, Jessica Au was selected to in the under 15 “All Stars” team. Her vision and ball distribution during the group matches did not go unnoticed by the experts, and she was rewarded with a starting spot against the National Champions.
Jessica played a very good game under pressure in a team full of players she had never played with, and did not look out of place in the team made up of the best players in the country at the under 15 level. New South Wales Metro won the match 1-0.
In the under 17 “All Star” team, Ashley Brown represented Victoria. Ashley has been involved in national teams in the past, but yesterday she confirmed her place as one of the most promising young talents coming through the ranks.
Her performances on the wing and also in the traditional number ten position, coupled with her goals in the group stage matches made the decision very easy for the selectors. Ashley shone in the final match with the “All Stars” drawing 1-1 with New South Wales Metro.
In a major boost for aspiring Victorian coaches, Michael McBride, the Victorian under 15’s coach, was selected to coach the “All Star” team as a reward for his performance during the tournament.
McBride’s under 15’s played a brilliant brand of football, which did not go unnoticed by fans and experts. With McBride given the fantastic opportunity of taking charge of the team, it also gave his Assistant Coach Bill Mihaloudis, Team Manager Anna Lymberopolous, Head of Sports Science Mark Smythe, and physiotherapist Massimo Mirabile the chance to work with some of the best young female players in the country.
Victoria will return with their heads held high after a very impressive performance, one that has shown that Victoria’s female teams will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
Football Federation Victoria (FFV) would like to congratulate all involved in the 2010 Westfield National Junior Championships for Girls, including the players, coaches, support staff, referees and volunteers. FFV would particularly like to congratulate Jessica, Ashley and Michael on their selection for the “All Stars” teams, a wonderful achievement.
- By Liam Bentley, in Coffs Harbour
Last updated: Saturday July 10, 2010 1:32PM
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