Matildas games in Newcastle inspire next generation of players

It was a match that ignited the now 18-year-old's desire to one day play for her country.

Fenton has been at every Matildas match played in Newcastle since and cannot wait to watch Australia take on the might of the world No.1 ranked United States there on November 30.

"I was just a kid in the grandstand with my family, eating an ice-cream and watching the Matildas play on Newcastle soil," Fenton told the Newcastle Herald on Monday.

"Being a part of that inspires you to want to play for your country. It makes you think, 'I want to play for my country. I want to be able to play on Australian soil in front of a massive crowd'. That's something I would love to experience in the future."

The versatile defender from Blackalls Park is on the right path after recently earning her first A-League Women's contract with the Newcastle Jets and gaining a place in the Future Matildas program, which helps develop the next generation of Australia's elite footballers.

"To finally grow up and be in the A-League Women's is such a major achievement that I am forever grateful for," the Hunter Sports High year 12 student said.

"A lot of hard work has come into it. Not only from me but my parents as well. It's just amazing that I have finally reached that spot, but I still have a fair way to go in the future."

Jets co-captain and 11-times capped Matilda Gema Simon, 31, is equally excited to be able to watch as Australia take on the back-to-back world champions in Newcastle this month.

It will be the second leg of a two-match international series against the US - the first is at Stadium Australia on November 27.

The Matildas have developed a fierce rivalry with the US since a breakthrough win over the Americans set up victory in the 2017 Tournament of Nations. Simon was part of that squad and a moment which proved pivotal to the Matildas' development.

"That was a big turning point in terms of where the Matildas have come from and where they're going," Simon said.

"They're more than capable of beating any team in the world. They've got some exciting players and some very good technical players as well. It's going to be a really good spectacle just watching the US and the Matildas in a couple of weeks."

Cooranbong's Milan Hammond is in the Jets Academy program and has also been identified as a Future Matilda.

The 17-year-old striker said having access to teams like the Matildas and US was a dream opportunity for aspiring Matildas.

"It's amazing for young players aspiring to go into that field," Hammond said.

"It's just good to see them come here and verse one of the best teams in the world."

Tickets went on pre-sale on Monday. Registered junior participants (12 years and under) in Northern NSW can access tickets for $5.

Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes declared on Monday she wanted the McDonald Jones Stadium match to be a sell-out.

Under current public health order restrictions, a sell-out at McDonald Jones Stadium on November 30 would be 26,000.

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