Junior Matildas know the price they’re willing to pay to make it to the top

Athletes are often told there’s a price to pay if they want to make it to the top of elite sport. 

And the journey has to start young, but the Junior Matildas are framing the cost of pursuing their dreams differently.

“No matter what you choose to do in life, there’s a price of entry,” coach Mike Cooper told ABC Sport. 

“Whether that’s how much time and effort you have to put into it as a mum and dad driving your child around, the ups and downs of playing well, not playing well, learning from that. 

“No matter what level anyone’s achieved in whatever sport, they’ve gone through similar things and knowing that and learning from that I think is really humbling.”

Cooper comes from a teaching background, and with two teenage daughters of his own, is uniquely placed to tap into the teen psyche. 

He knows the expectations placed on any team carrying the Matildas moniker, especially this group, which is the first Australian side to qualify for the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

“We want to go with a purpose, we want to perform, want the girls to express themselves, be brave, be bold, make themselves proud before making other people proud,” he said.

“And then come home and learn from that experience because whatever happens over there is just part of their journey.”

Testing themselves against the best

It’s the opportunity of a very young lifetime for players such as 15-year-old Willa Pearson. 

She is already a familiar figure in the women’s game here, becoming the youngest-ever A-League player last season when she debuted at 14.

She then broke Sam Kerr’s record as the league’s youngest-ever goalscorer. 

But the Sydney FC defender is keeping a level head. 

“That was crazy to be honest,” Pearson told ABC Sport. 

“It hasn’t really sunk in. [I’m] trying to take it step by step, play as good as I can and when I get the opportunity to step on the field, perform as well as I can for Sydney.”

Pearson captained the Junior Matildas at the Asian Cup, where a semifinal appearance secured qualification for the World Cup. 

“[I’ve] had the opportunity to test myself against the best players in Asia,” she said.

“So now bringing that to a world stage and playing against the European countries and hopefully if we make it past the group stage, America, that would just be insane, to have my benchmark against other players in the world.”

Maeve Nicholas, 17, plays for Adelaide United, and was also part of the Asian Cup. 

“I think so many people our age would only dream of this opportunity,” she said.

“So I think just enjoying the experience, and then also making an impact and showing that Australian football, compared to other nations, is capable of achieving amazing things.”

Quotable quotes

Part of Cooper’s coaching arsenal includes different ways to bring the team together. 

Currently, that involves the players learning Spanish and relating that to football, and he has previously had players and staff choose a quote to share. 

“It’s just multiple different ways to get to know each other, build connection and where possible link it back to the purpose of what we’re trying to do,” he said.

Nicholas is living by the mantra that “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”.

“I think that resonates with me a lot because I’m always willing to work hard,” she said.

“And I think that’s definitely a part of our journey. You need to be willing to put in the effort in order to achieve the results.

Pearson opted for the famed 1-per-centers. 

“My quote was ‘1 per cent better every day’,” she said.

“I feel like you get so much thrown at you in life. You get setbacks, good achievements.

“So just trying to make sure everything you have that comes towards you, good or bad, you take a little bit out of that and see if you can be better the next day.”

Simple words for mature minds, hoping it all pays off in the long run.