Andreatta names 24-player squad as Australia's U23 WNT set for September action

The Australian U-23 Women鈥檚 National Team will play its first matches of 2023 when a 24-player squad travels to the AIS European Training Centre in Varese, Italy later this month for a training camp and two-match program. 

Australian U-23 Women鈥檚 Head Coach Melissa Andreatta has selected a squad that features Australia鈥檚 most exciting up-and-coming players competing in the A-League Women鈥檚 competition and international leagues.  

Taking place during the September FIFA Women鈥檚 International Window, Australia will face Scotland鈥檚 newly formed U-23 Women鈥檚 National Team in two matches during the window.

Andreatta expressed the importance of 西瓜影视鈥檚 U-23 Women鈥檚 National Team program in light of the fast-paced development of women鈥檚 football globally. 

鈥淭he recent FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup 2023鈩 demonstrated just how rapidly women鈥檚 football is advancing in terms of the quality on the pitch,鈥 Andreatta said. 

鈥淭he U-23 Women鈥檚 National Team program is a vital step for us as a nation to continue the evolution of players in that crucial age group. It not only provides the honour of being able to represent Australia but also the opportunity to gain invaluable experience at international level which is difficult to replicate in any other forum.鈥 

The Australian squad consists of 17 players set to feature heavily in the upcoming 2023/24 A-League Women鈥檚 competition, with a further eight players plying their trade in the leagues across France, England, Sweden, Spain and Denmark. 

Daniela Galic during U23 training camp at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre. (Photo: Ann Odong/西瓜影视)
Daniela Galic during U23 training camp at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre. (Photo: Ann Odong/西瓜影视)

鈥淚n selecting the squad, we looked to reward players who have shown consistent form over a period of time in international leagues, the A-League Women鈥檚 and National Premier Leagues,鈥 Andreatta explained. 

鈥淭aking on A.C. Milan and Scotland presents a unique occasion for these players to face quality opposition and then to test themselves against those in their age group to learn about how they can continue to develop their international play.  
鈥淭hese matches will assist in that critical transitioning work from youth to senior level, particularly for a cohort for whom very few would have the diversity of opponents that European teams present.  

鈥淭he camp provides them with good quality match minutes and demonstrates continued investment by 西瓜影视 in players to provide them with the best platform for success in the advent of a senior team call-up,鈥 Andreatta concluded.    

Fans will also be able to follow the matches via , Twitter , and Instagram .

U23 WOMEN鈥橲 NATIONAL TEAM | MATCH SCHEDULE | SEPTEMBER 2023

Australia U23 WNT v Scotland U-23 WNT*
Date: Fri, 22 September 2023 (local) / Saturday, 23 September (AEST)
Kick-Off:  5.30pm (local) / 1:30 am (AEST)

Australia U23 WNT v Scotland U-23 WNT
Date: Tues, 26 September 2023
Venue: FC Laveno Mombello, Varese
Kick-Off: 11:30 am (local) / 7:30pm (AEST)

AUSTRALIA U-23 WOMEN鈥橲 NATIONAL TEAM SQUAD | SEPTEMBER 2023

NAME POSITION CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION
Alexia APOSTOLAKISDefenderWestern Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW
Alana CERNEDefenderWestern United / Football Victoria
Chelsea DAWBERForwardNorrkoping / Football South Australia
Polly DORANDefenderCrystal Palace / Football Victoria
Daniela GALICMidfielderMelbourne City / Football NSW
Annalee GROVEGoalkeeperAdelaide United / Northern NSW Football
Mackenzie HAWKESBYMidfielderBrighton & Hove Albion / Football NSW
Winonah HEATLEYDefenderNordsjaelland / Football Queensland
Bryleeh HENRYForwardMelbourne City / Football NSW
Sarah HUNTER***MidfielderParis FC / Football NSW
Sally JAMESGoalkeeperPerth Glory / Capital Football
Kahli JOHNSONForwardWestern United / Football NSW
Chloe LINCOLNGoalkeeperCanberra United / Football NSW
Hana LOWRYMidfielderPerth Glory / Football West
Anna MARGRAFDefenderSporting De Huelva / Football Queensland
Holly MCNAMARA***ForwardMelbourne City / Football NSW
Alana MURPHYMidfielderMelbourne Victory / Football Victoria
Emilia MURRAYForwardAdelaide United / Football South Australia
Jessica NASHDefenderMelbourne Victory / Football NSW
Charlize RULEDefenderBrighton & Hove Albion / Football NSW
Amy SAYERMidfielderKristianstads DFF / Football NSW
Naomi THOMAS-CHINNAMADefenderMelbourne City / Football Victoria
Ella TONKINDefenderAdelaide United / Football South Australia
Kaitlyn TORPEYDefenderMelbourne City / Football Queensland
Paige ZOIS**MidfielderMelbourne Victory / Football Victoria

*Australia's opening game against A.C. Milan has been replaced with a game against Scotland U23WNT side.
** Paige Zois has been added to the squad for the upcoming U23 window on Monday the 18th of September
*** Holly McNamara and Sarah Hunter have withdrawn from this camp