CHELSEA Hall and Jessica Watts have been rewarded for their strong seasons with selection in the Northern NSW representative sides for the July 15-19 national titles at Coffs Harbour.
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Hall will play in the midfield for the under-15s while Watts will also play in an attacking role for the under-14s.
The Camden Haven High School student said she was looking forward to the challenge of testing herself against some of the best players in Australia in her age group.
She will have the added pressure of being under the watchful eye of some Young Matildas coaches, but it was one she welcomed.
"Hopefully I'll get noticed by some bigger teams like the Jets and maybe get noticed by the Young Matildas coach," Watts said.
"They'll be up there watching and selecting a few girls so it's a lot of pressure but it should be alright."
Young Matildas players such as current goalkeeper and northern NSW product Annalee Grove have previously been selected from the tournament.
Tessa Tamplin is another who currently plies her trade with the Newcastle Jets.
"My biggest goal is to get to the Matildas," the teenager said.
"It's the furthest I've come in soccer so far so it's pretty good and I've been training hard and putting in the effort."
Football Mid North Coast representative teammate Jessica Watts has also been rewarded for her form in front of goal that sees her towards the top of the season's goal scoring list.
She had a more challenging time making the final cut after a less-than-ideal first tryout.
"I was nervous because I got injured in the first trial so I had to go back and work even harder in the second one to get in," Watts said.
"This is the highest achievement I've had in my soccer."
Hopefully I'll be getting noticed by some bigger teams like the Jets and maybe get noticed by the Young Matildas coach.
- Chelsea Hall
The St Joseph's Regional College student started kicking her first ball around the backyard with brother Jackson as a six-year-old.
"I got into soccer because I grew up with my brother playing and I always saw him as a good player so I wanted to be like him," she said.
"Mum was my coach."
While Watts was satisfied to make the side, she was hopeful of being noticed and taking the next step to a higher level.
"It's a big achievement to even get up there," she said.
"I'm just happy that I've made it this far but it will be a good experience and hopefully I'll go even further."
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