Great Southern players to test themselves against WA Senior State Schoolgirls’ team in exhibition matches

Talented soccer players in Albany will get a chance to test themselves against some of the best State underage girls in a soccer exhibition this weekend. The WA Senior State Schoolgirls’ team is scheduled to make the trip to Albany this weekend and face the Albany Junior Soccer Association under-17 country week team on Sunday and a senior Great Southern representative side on Monday night. It’s believed to be the first time a State soccer team has come to the region. Libby Morris tried out for the under-17 State side in April but was cut at the third and final round of selections, which sparked her father James Morris to suggest the idea of the game in Albany. James will coach both local teams in the exhibition games. “I thought with COVID-19 still impacting Australia that there could be a great opportunity to see if a State team wanted to test themselves against our Great Southern talent as lots of families don’t get the chance to take their kids to trials,” he said. “We contacted the State head coach Wayne Baseden and he thought it would be a great idea.” The under-17s game will start at 3pm on Sunday at the North Road soccer fields. The AJSA under-17s country week team was selected after trials in May and the side has been training regularly in preparation for the annual tournament in Perth. Morris said the games would be a fantastic showpiece for the region. “I’m very excited as this is a huge opportunity for the Great Southern girls and ladies to see where they fit if they want to pursue these opportunities into the future,” he said. “We are hoping this is going to be an annual event for the growth of women’s football in our region. “We have a huge array of talent and it just needs to be tapped into; I have a huge passion for the women’s game. “They haven’t had this sort of exposure before unfortunately, but it can only benefit them and the game in the Great Southern.” The senior representative side put together by Morris and Gabby White will be played on Monday at Sounness Park in Mt Barker at 6.30pm. “I think the two games will be a real tough challenge for the girls and ladies but I also think the experience they will learn from it will be unforgettable,” Morris said. “We all like to win but I think it’s more about building relationships, being exposed and seen that are most important.” The AJSA under-13 boys green country week team will play the AJSA under-14 girls country week team in a lead-up match on Sunday at 1pm.