Woolgoolga Junior Girls Meet the Matildas at TFA Clinic
Woolgoolga Soccer Club’s junior girls’ teams have been given the best training possible with a three day clinic which brought them face to face with Australia’s national women’s team the Matildas.
The clinic, called Telstra Football Anytime, was launched in Coffs Harbour by Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Northern New South Wales Football to coincide with the Matilda-s game against Chinese Taipei.
Girls from Woolgoolga teams outnumbered every other local club at the three day clinic held at BCU International Stadium.
The head coach for the clinic was injured Matilda Jenna Tristram who has a soft spot for girls from this area, having come through the local system herself to play for Australia. The Coaches for the program were young, up and coming female players from North Coast Football.
It also involved one-on-one tuition from several of the Matildas and allowed the girls to meet the entire squad, get autographs and pose for photos as well as watch them in action against Chinese Taipei after the final session.
For two hours per day over the three days the girls, aged six to twelve, had the ball at their feet which ensured they got as many touches on the ball as possible.
And to cap off a wonderful three days, the Woolgoolga girls were all invited to be flag bearers for the national anthems prior to the start of the Matildas vs Chinese Taipei international, which Australia won 7-nil.
Each of the girls who participated in the clinic went home with a bag, ball & drink bottle to go along with their free tickets to the international match which followed the final session.
With many of the Woolgoolga girls due to feature the upcoming North Coast Football finals series and then perhaps the NSW Champion of Champions knockout comp, it won-t be long before the girls can put their new skills to the test.
Over 50 girls participation in the clinic, which FFA says has got it drawing up plans to return to Coffs Harbour with a similar clinic next year.