The squad has been named for the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2024, the qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025, set to be played this September in Suva, Fiji. 

The 18-player squad is the first named by new Women’s U-17 head coach Alana Gunn, and features 15 players based in Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as three overseas in Australia and Canada. 

Seven players selected were part of the squad that won the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2023 to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024, set to be held in the Dominican Republic this October. 

The full 18-player squad is:

Derelle Avery - Spirit FC, Australia  
Mikaela Bangalan - Fencibles United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Laura Bennett - Melville United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Mackenzie Bryant - Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Taylah Byers - Fencibles United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Heidi Draai - Football Victoria, Australia
Grace Duncan - Tauranga Moana, Aotearoa New Zealand
Charley March - Hibiscus Coast, Aotearoa New Zealand
Kara McGillivray - Auckland United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Harriet Muller - Moturoa AFC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Piper O’Neill - Auckland United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Katie Pugh - Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Holly Robins - Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Kya Solomon - Taradale AFC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Keira Tichbon - Mississauga Soccer Academy, Canada
Pia Vlok - Auckland United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Megan Waayer - Grants Braes AFC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Natalie Young - Hamilton Wanderers, Aotearoa New Zealand

Head coach Alana Gunn said:

“It has been an exciting process to get to this point and to name this squad, it has been competitive and that’s what we really want across the ID and selection process.

“I’m proud of the squad we have assembled and I know the team can’t wait to get together in Fiji to represent Aotearoa New Zealand on the international stage.”

Aotearoa New Zealand has been drawn in Group B at the tournament alongside New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Tahiti. 

The team start against New Caledonia on 9 September (KO 12pm), before facing Tahiti on 12 September (KO 12pm) and Solomon Islands on 15 September (KO 12pm). 

All games will be played at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji, and broadcast live and free on FIFA+. 

Article added: Tuesday 27 August 2024