Goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln used to idolise the goalkeepers in the CommBank Matildas. Now, she is one of them, training alongside Jada Whyman and Mackenzie Arnold in her first senior call-up.
She only has to think about the first time she met Whyman to realise how far she has come.
“My first memory of Jada was at a Future Matildas training session,” Lincoln recalled.
“I was just lucky enough to be brought in at the time because they needed someone. And she hit me – she smacked me in the face accidentally – and I felt like the luckiest person ever!
“At that point in time, those are the girls that I looked up to, watching them train. She was one of my idols.
“I was thinking, I’m never going to wash this face again! She was super lovely, she apologised many, many times, but that was a special memory, getting to train with her… and getting struck in the face!”
When she received the call-up, it was Whyman – former idol, and accidental face smasher – who was one of the first to send a congratulatory message.
“She’s a really awesome human being, a super lovely girl,” Lincoln said.
“She just sent a message saying, congrats and excited for you to be in camp. I couldn’t tell you how much that meant.
“A few of the girls actually sent a message, and it makes it really comforting to know that you’ve got people looking out for you.
“I couldn’t be more grateful to be able to work with Jada and Macca as well. Incredible goalkeepers, incredible people, and I’m learning so much from them.”
She said that she had enjoyed her first experience in camp.
“I’ve loved every bit of it,” she said.
“It’s definitely been challenging, which you would expect coming into this elite environment, the best of the best.
“The staff and the players have been so welcoming and lovely. So I feel very, very grateful to be here.”
Even if she does not step foot on the field in this particular camp, the future looks bright for the 19-year-old.
She said it would mean the world to her if she were to earn a senior CommBank Matildas cap one day.
“This has been a dream since I can remember. I don’t think I could put into words how much it would mean really,” she said.
“I just want to keep working hard, pushing, trying to be a better player, be a better person. Fingers crossed one day, it’d be pretty amazing to take the field with the Australian jersey on.”
Germany v CommBank Matildas
Date: Monday, 28 October 2024 (local) / Tuesday, 29 October (AEDT)
Kick-off: 6.10pm CET (local) / 4.10am (AEDT)
Venue: Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, Duisburg
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: DFB Ticket Portal
