Twenty-three Ninja A-League talents make up the 2025 Future Matildas program after receiving scholarships.
Melbourne City star Alexia Apostolakis and Central Coast Mariners sensation Peta Trimis headline the initial scholars for the national team pathway, “preparing the country’s best U-20 and U-23 athletes to step into international football with confidence”.
Sydney FC have the most representatives with eight, while Newcastle Jets have five to go with three for Western Sydney Wanderers. Central Coast Mariners, Canberra United, Brisbane Roar and Western United are also represented.
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The program has been influential in developing players who have gone on to play for the CommBank Matildas, including A-Leagues products Clare Hunt, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Charli Grant, Sharn Freier, Daniela Galic, Western United’s Chloe Lincoln and Alana Murphy of Melbourne Victory.
In 2025, the Future Matildas program has been expanded with additional high-performance staff, enhanced facilities, and an increased focus on competitive match play, ensuring a world-class development experience.
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“The Future Matildas program is essential to our player development strategy, and in 2025 we have expanded both its scope and quality,” said technical and program lead Alex Epakis.
“We have strengthened the coaching and support teams, enhanced athlete wellbeing services, and increased the number of high-level fixtures to mirror the demands of senior international football.
“This program is designed with alignment in mind. Everything from the training methodology to the style of play is connected to the CommBank Matildas’ philosophy, making the transition to senior football as seamless as possible.
“The success of players like Clare Hunt and Kyra Cooney-Cross, who progressed through this program to become key figures in the CommBank Matildas squad, demonstrates the tangible impact of the Future Matildas.
“Witnessing six players from the last cohort make their senior debuts over the past 12-18 months underscores the importance of our focus on delivering the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological preparation that enables players to excel at the highest level.”
Future Matildas program scholars
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB / MEMBER FEDERATION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claire | ADAMS | Midfielder | Newcastle Jets / NNSW Football |
| Josie | ALLAN | Forward | Newcastle Jets / NNSW Football |
| Alexia | APOSTOLAKIS | Defender | Melbourne City / Football NSW |
| Amelia | BENNETT | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW |
| Tegan | BERTOLISSIO | Defender | Canberra United / Football NSW |
| Jasmine | BLACK | Goalkeeper | Sydney FC / Football NSW |
| India | BREIER | Forward | Newcastle Jets / Football NSW |
| Madeleine | CASPERS | Midfielder | Sydney FC / Football NSW |
| Alexis | COLLINS | Defender | Newcastle Jets / NNSW Football |
| Indiana | DOS SANTOS | Midfielder | Sydney FC / Football NSW |
| Emma | DUNDAS | Midfielder | Newcastle Jets / NNSW Football |
| Kirsty | FENTON | Defender | Sydney FC / NNSW Football |
| Tiana | FULLER | Forward | Central Coast Mariners / Football NSW |
| Sally | JAMES | Goalkeeper | Canberra United / Capital Football |
| Zara | KRUGER | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar / Football QLD |
| Hana | LOWRY | Midfielder | Sydney FC / Football West |
| Amber | LUCHTMEIJER | Forward | Sydney FC / Football NSW |
| Avaani | PRAKASH | Midfielder | Western United / Football NSW |
| Sienna | SAVESKA | Forward | Western Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW |
| Rubi | SULLIVAN | Defender | Sydney FC / Football NSW |
| Caley | TALLON-HENNIKER | Forward | Sydney FC / Football NSW |
| Peta | TRIMIS | Forward | Central Coast Mariners / Football NSW |
| Talia | YOUNIS | Midfielder | Western Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW |
