Amara's Pathway to Spain | Future Matilda Campaign

Hi, I’m Amara. I’m 15 years old and currently serve as the Vice-Captain for the U17 Academy 1 Girls at Logan Lightning. Football has been my absolute passion for over eight years, and my ultimate goal is to represent Australia as a Matilda and compete at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

⚽ My Football Journey & Leadership

Starting out as the only girl on all-boys teams at Logan Metro and Logan Lightning built my resilience early on. Since then, I’ve continually pushed my limits - from playing in elite pathways to regularly stepping up to play in the U23s squad.

Giving back to the sport is just as important to me as playing:

 Refereeing: Certified referee for the past 2 years.

 Mentorship: Assistant coach for younger junior girls' training sessions.

 Dedication: Managing 3 school sessions, 4 club sessions, plus weekend matches and refereeing duties while keeping up with my education.

To support my athletic goals, my family helped me transition from Canterbury College to Marsden State High School’s specialised Football Program, where I can develop daily alongside top-tier coaches.

🏆 Key Achievements & Strengths

Personal Accolades

 Team of the Year (2025): Named in Marsden's Top 11 Players across all age groups (boys and girls).

Junior Girls Player of the Year (2025): Marsden State High School.

Coaches Award (2024): Logan Lightning U15 Academy.

School Player of the Year: Multiple years at Canterbury College (2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024).

Player of the State Tournament (2023): Representing Pure Soccer.

Senior Selection: Selected to play full match for Marsden's Senior Girls team grand final (2025) whilst in Grade 9.

Major Team Accomplishments

 🥇 Champions: Marsden Senior Girls Final (2025)

 🥈 Runners-Up: U17 School Regional Tournament (2025) & School Regional Tournament (2025)

 ⚽ Finals: U15 Semi-Finalists (2024) & End of Season U13 Runners-Up (2023)

 🥈 Tournament Placings: Pure Soccer Winners (2022) & Runners-Up (2023); Sunshine Coast Tournament Runners-Up (2022 & 2023).

Key On-Field Strengths

Versatility: Primary Centre-Back (CB), with strong capability across Central Midfield and Full-Back (RB/LB).

Technical & Tactical: Ambidextrous capability (Right-foot dominant), long throw-ins, set-piece execution (free kicks), and reading of the play.

Attributes: High physical presence, leadership communication, work rate, and elite competitive mentality.

🇪🇸 The Opportunity: 3 Months in Spain (EFA Program)

After a short European tour last year, playing in Spain confirmed where I need to be to take my game to a professional standard.

I have been accepted into the EFA Program in Spain for 3 months. This intensive program involves:

Training 4+ times a week under elite Spanish coaches.

Competing for trial placements and potential club signings in Europe.

Completing my Australian school studies online while overseas.

🎯 Funding Goal: $20,000

To make this dream a reality, I need to raise ~$20,000 to cover travel, program fees, accommodation, and living expenses (significantly impacted by the AUD/EUR exchange rate). As one of three children in my family, this is a massive financial hurdle for us to clear on our own.

Every dollar raised goes directly toward tuition, flights, and living arrangements in Spain.

Thank you so much for supporting my journey and believing in my dream to wear the Green & Gold!