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Apostolakis named in Australian U-23 Women’s National Team set for September action

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

Taking place during the September FIFA Women’s International Window, Australia will face Serie A Femminile side A.C Milan in a closed doors clash on Friday, 22 September in Milan before meeting Scotland’s newly formed U-23 Women’s National Team at the AIS European Training Centre on Tuesday, 26 September.

Andreatta expressed the importance of Football Australia’s U-23 Women’s National Team program in light of the fastpaced development of women’s football globally.

“The recent FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ demonstrated just how rapidly women’s football is advancing in terms of the quality on the pitch,” Andreatta said.

“The U-23 Women’s 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.”

The Australian squad consists of 16 players set to feature heavily in the upcoming 2023/24 A-League Women’s competition, with a further eight players plying their trade in the leagues across France, England, Sweden, Spain and Denmark.

“In 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’s and National Premier Leagues,” Andreatta explained.

“Taking 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.

“These 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.

“The camp provides them with good quality match minutes and demonstrates continued investment by Football Australia in players to provide them with the best platform for success in the advent of a senior team call up,” Andreatta concluded.

Fans will also be able to follow the matches via Facebook, Twitter @FootballAUS, Instagram @FootballAUS.

U23 WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM | MATCH SCHEDULE | SEPTEMBER 2023

A.C. Milan Women’s v Australia 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:  AIS European Training Centre, Varese
Kick-Off: 11:30 am (local) / 7:30pm (AEST)

AUSTRALIA U-23 WOMEN’S 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 HUNTERMidfielderParis 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 MCNAMARAForwardMelbourne 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