Western United quartet Sasha Grove, Chloe Lincoln, Kahli Johnson and Avaani Prakash will head into Young Matildas camp for a two-match series against New Zealand next week.
The four youngsters will form part of a 25-player squad that Leah Blayney has selected to travel across the Tasman as preparations continue for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
This represents a first-ever international selection as Western United players for both Grove and Lincoln, who each joined the Green and Black from Canberra United in the past month.
Johnson is a permanent fixture in the Young Matildas and will continue to lead the side’s frontline, while Prakash earns a recall to the squad after making her debut earlier this year.
The 17-year-old has been in outstanding form with Bulls FC Academy in NPL Women’s NSW over the off-season and has also caught the eye in recent Talent Development Scheme matches.
Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato highlighted the achievement of each player and of the Club for promoting the development of young talent.
“It is fantastic to see so many of our talented players earning opportunities in the same international camp and I congratulate all four players on their selections,” he said.
“We pursued signing Sasha and Chloe for this very reason and we are extremely invested in their ongoing development. Now that they are representing our Club on the international stage for the first time, we can’t wait to watch their progress.
“Kahli and Avaani have both shown their qualities within our group already and we are equally bullish on their futures, and the future of many of our talent young players across our Club.”
The games against New Zealand will take place on Thursday 11 July and Sunday 14 July with all eyes on the World Cup in Colombia.
Australia will feature in Group A at the tournament alongside the host nation, Mexico and Cameroon, with the four Western United guns hoping to impress and earn a seat on the plane for the opening game on Saturday 31 August.
