As the Wanderers prepare to open their Ninja A-League campaign against Perth Glory, the club’s proud investment in developing homegrown talent will take centre stage.
In a major milestone for the program, nine players from the newly established Western Sydney Wanderers Girls Academy have earned selection in the senior squad.
This is a powerful statement of intent in the Academy’s very first year.
Under the leadership of Ninja A-League head coach Geoff Abrahams, who also serves as the club’s Youth Technical Director, the connection between the Academy and the professional environment has never been stronger.
Abrahams’ dual role ensures a seamless transition for players graduating through the ranks, with a clear and consistent football philosophy guiding their development from youth football to the national stage.
Among this new generation is 17-year-old midfielder and winger Nikkita Fazzari, who officially joins the Ninja A-League team this season.
Her rise through the Wanderers pathway has been marked by flair, work ethic and success, including being named the 2023 NSW Futsal Premier League Player of the Year and U17s Golden Boot winner.
Internationally, she has already made an impact for Australia at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers, scoring five goals and finishing as the team’s top scorer.
Leadership has also been a defining feature of the Academy, embodied by Anika Stajcic, who captained the club’s NPL side before making her senior debut last season.
Alongside her, Siena Arrarte enjoyed a standout NPL campaign, showcasing her creativity and energy in midfield. These qualities are hallmarks of the Wanderers’ playing identity.
Between the posts, Aimee Hall continues to grow into one of the club’s most promising young goalkeepers. Her composure and leadership have been honed over several years in the Academy.
The Wanderers’ player pathway has also proven its depth through stories like that of Miriam Zumaya, the first graduate from the Future Wander Women program to make the step into the Ninja A-League. Having joined from SD Raiders, Zumaya has impressed with her pace, determination and attacking instinct.
Defender Alvina Khoshaba, who joined from the FNSW Institute, was another standout in the NPL this year, combining defensive grit with attacking flair.
Amy Barker, entering her second season in the A-League squad, continues to build on a breakout year where she emerged as one of the Academy’s most consistent and intelligent performers.
The next wave of goalkeeping talent also includes Annabelle Croll, who recently captained the Junior Matildas and was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament. Having joined the Wanderers Academy from the FNSW Institute, her leadership and professionalism exemplify the standard the club’s youth programs now produce.
And then there is Frida Karaberis. Just 14 years old, she began the year in the Under-16s before earning her place in the NPL team. Her rapid rise is a glimpse of what is to come from a system designed to identify, nurture and elevate talent at every level.
Each of these players represents a story of talent, ambition and determination. They are the first graduates of a pathway designed to connect the community fields of Western Sydney to the national stage of the Ninja A-League.
Their progression signals the start of an exciting journey for the Wanderers Girls Academy and sets the standard for the next generation of homegrown stars.
When the Wanderers take the field for Round 1, they will do so with a team built not only on talent, but on local pride and purpose.
The first year of the Girls Academy has already delivered nine graduates to the senior ranks.
Proof that the Wanderers’ future is not just bright, it is already shining.
