Ellie Carpenter is the toast of Australian football today after the 15-year-old Western Sydney Wanderers defender become the first millennial to play for the Westfield Matildas.
In fact, the Pemulwuy resident is the first player born in the 2000s to play international football for Australia regardless of gender.
The international appearance and Australian football record caps off an extraordinary four months for the Pemulwuy resident who played every minute for the Wanderers in her debut season and was selected in The Football Sack’s Team of the Year and named as The Women’s Game’s Best Newcomer of the Year.
Carpenter said she was proud to be the first Wanderers to make her Matildas debut while at the club.
“The Wanderers gave me an amazing opportunity to start off with to give me the experience and also give me the chance to get game time in the W-League,” said Carpenter.
“I was lucky enough to play every minute of every game and that gave me the experience and drive to make the Matildas squad because I was playing against girls who were in the national team.”
Australia continues its mission to qualify for the Rio Olympics on Friday when the Matildas take on South Korea at 9:30pm live on 7mate.
