The Hyundai National Training Centre for Girls is celebrating the latest two players to graduate to the ranks of the A-League.
Georgia Cassidy and Grace Johnston have been in the Football West program for six years, and both even scored in NTC’s 5-3 win over Fremantle City in the NPLWA - Women’s competition on Sunday.
Later this year the midfield duo will take their partnership to Perth Glory after they were signed by head coach Alex Epakis for the 2023/24 A-Leagues Women’s season.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity - I didn’t really know how to react … I was kind of shocked, I wasn’t expecting it,” Junior Matilda Cassidy said.
“We’ve never experienced that speed of play, so it’s going to be good to adapt and play with and against players at that level.”
Johnston was equally upbeat, adding: “I’m really excited and ready to take on the challenge.
“We began training together eight years ago from the age of 10 at SAP (Skill Acquisition Program) and it progressed to NTC. Now we’re going to Perth Glory together.”
The players’ current head coach with NTC is Ben Anderton and he has overseen much of their development.
“First of all, it’s a fantastic achievement for both players - the program and myself couldn't be prouder of the hard work and dedication these two have shown to get this opportunity,” he said.
“Being the National Training Centre, our purpose is to provide players with the best opportunity to be identified for either national team or A-League clubs. Having these two remarkable individuals gain this opportunity shows that the program is delivering on this, as they join the long list of incredible players like current A-League stars Hana Lowry and Leticia Mckenna who have come through our program to represent Perth Glory and other A-League clubs.”
Anderton said the progression of such players will show other talented girls the opportunities the NTC program offers.
“Absolutely, this should encourage young players to see the benefits of NTC as the program has worked tirelessly to create a full-time elite environment where the players are treated as professionals to ensure they are ready for the next step in their footballing careers,” he said.
“Players who come through the program and make the next step to either national team representation or A-League have been a part of the program from a young age, whilst having different coaches within the program guiding and nurturing them along the way.
“The satisfaction we get as a collective is seeing the players learn and grow on and off the pitch and fulfilling the potential that we have all seen throughout their journey within the program and making that step to becoming professional footballers.”
The two players echoed those sentiments.
“NTC has been really good for my development as a player, especially leading to opportunities to play at the National Youth Championships and NTC Challenge,” former Subiaco AFC junior Johnston said. “The coaches have been really crucial to my development as a player, every coach that I’ve had at NTC. They each give something to the program.”
Cassidy, who started as a junior at ECU Joondalup (now Perth RedStar), said: “There have been many different coaches over the years I have been at NTC. We’ve been with Ben the past two or three years and he’s really improved my abilities, like all the other coaches.
“And as Grace said, the chance to play at the NYC has been massive. It’s a very different environment over there and very quick and they’re really rough as well - adapting to the way they play really makes us grow.”
Looking ahead to how the girls will go at Glory, Anderton has no doubts that they will flourish.
“For the last three seasons, I have seen day in and day out the attitude and desire they bring to every training session and game to be the best versions of themselves. This work ethic along with an exciting set of skills will only help to bolster their chances of making their marks in the A-League to hopefully one day become household names.
“On behalf of the program, all the coaches congratulate Georgia and Grace and we cannot wait to watch them continue on their exciting football journey.”
Football West Football Development Officer Gareth Naven said: “Congratulations to Georgia and Grace, it is fantastic to see them get this opportunity and hopefully they go on and have great careers in the game.
“This is also great reward for the time and dedication put in by Ben and his team, indeed all the coaches in the program who have worked with the two players.
“The Hyundai NTC program is a key component in developing talented West Australian girls but we would not be able to do it without the commitment and expertise of our coaching teams.”
- Football West is delighted to acknowledge Hyundai Australia as the name sponsor of the Football West NTC.