While our four sides only came away from Day Four of the 2025 CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships with the one win, it was a big one, as our Under 16 Blue team secured a spot in the Semi-Finals.
After a dream start off the back of a fourth minute Keira Sarris goal, Northern NSW hit back hard, levelling the scores before taking the lead midway through the first half. But goals from Daniella Squatrito and Aeryn Tarrant, as well as some strong defending, were enough to get the Blues through to tomorrow's penultimate match against Queensland Maroon.
The Under 16 White side also had an opportunity to move on to the Semi-Final stage but unfortunately fell 5-1 to those Maroons. Siena Gill brought her side to within one goal of the fast-starting Queenslanders, but ultimately could not contain them, allowing three second half goals.
Our other Quarter Final representatives were the Under 15 Blue side, who were beaten 2-1 by a strong NSW Navy outfit. Scores were level late in the match, after Stefanie Castvan levelled the score at one-goal-a-piece midway through the second half, but a 55th minute match winner for NSW spelled heartbreak for our girls.
In a nice silver-lining moment for the Under 15 White side, Zoe Goncalves was able to score the first goal of the competition for her team. Unfortunately, it would not be enough to beat South Australia, who would come away with the 3-1 victory.
Victorian Day 3 Results
- U/15 Victoria White v South Australia - 1-3
- U/15 Victoria Blue v NSW Navy - 1-2
- U/16 Victoria White v Queensland Maroon - 1-5
- U/16 Victoria Blue v Northern NSW - 3-2
Day 4 Wrap
The best young female footballers in Australia put on a clinic today as Day Four of the CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships took place at Valentine Sports Park.
From long-ranger screamers, tense penalty shootouts and courageous defending, the Quarter Final contests had it all as teams fought tooth and nail to claim a place in the Semi Finals.
CommBank Matildas Head Coach Joe Montemurro was in attendance to cast his expert eyes over the next generation and potentially sight the next National Team star.
Semi Finals Confirmed
Just one game stands between the eight teams remaining and securing a place in the Under 15 and Under 16 CommBank Emerging Championships Finals.
In the Under 15 Age Group, friends will become foes when NSW Sky and NSW Navy do battle in the opening Semi Final of the day. Queensland Maroon will then take on Northern NSW in a blockbuster clash.
In the Under 16 Age Group, Capital Football have advanced to the Semi Finals and come up against the high-flying NSW Sky looking to defend their title from last year. The last Semi Final of the day will feature Queensland Maroon and Victoria Blue for a place in the Championship match.
United by Football
Football Australia and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) came together to mark Green Football Day with three powerful moments of community impact.
Roman Abasy, a passionate advocate for refugee and multicultural communities, visited Football Australia to collect a large donation of football boots and National Teams gear. The items, supplied by the PFA and sourced from Football Australia and will be distributed to young people and families across Western Sydney.
Joining him was Melina Ayres, an experienced A-Leagues player and ambassador for the PFA’s ‘Our Greener Pitch’ initiative, which promotes environmental sustainability in football. Ayers visited the Championships to show her support and speak with attendees about the role players can play in protecting the future of the game.
Last but definitely not least, almost 40 refugees and migrants including 25 children from Multicultural NSW each left with a gift bag of player-worn kit donated by the PFA. The Football NSW teams also did a meet and greet, taking photos with the group and signing their gifts.
Throughout the week, 74 visitors from many different countries including India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar and Zimbabwe have attended the Championships proving how football truly is the world’s greatest connector.
Standards raised across the board
While players continued to battle it out on the field, Member Federation coaches took part in a dedicated Coach Education Workshop led by Football Australia’s General Manager of Coach Education, Miles Downie.
The session focused on improving the standards of youth coaching nationally, with practical guidance on identifying key player behaviours, encouraging tactical development, and creating stronger training environments at the grassroots level.
Coaches shared insights from their own regions and discussed challenges faced across different parts of the country. The session also reinforced the importance of coach development as a critical part of the player pathway.
Workshops like this are a key part of the CommBank Emerging Championships’ broader mission to elevate not just players, but the entire ecosystem that supports them.
Coles MiniRoos take centre stage
Before the big names of tomorrow took to the field, the stars of the future had their moment in the spotlight at the CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships.
Forty excited kids from Enfield Rovers FC (Western Sydney) and Blaxland FC (Blue Mountains) took part in a Coles MiniRoos tournament, bringing boundless to Valentine Sports Park.
For many of the players aged 4 to 11, it was their first time playing at a national-level venue, and they made the most of it with goals, giggles, and plenty of high-fives.
Whether it was a well-timed pass or a celebration that went slightly off-track, the day was a reminder of what football’s all about - having fun and making friends.