The Dubbo & District Football Association have sent eight of their representative Devils sides to play in this year’s Kanga Cup. They return to Canberra having entered teams in past tournaments with the exception of their U16 Female Plate squad who are newcomers to the competition.

Every year this academy club, located in the Orana Region of NSW, recruits some of Dubbo’s most talented footballers to play and train in high-intensity environments. The association allows players the opportunity to build their skills by competing against potentially more challenging opposition compared to what they are used to.

Despite an increase in the quality of opposition they’re playing against, the Devils U16 Female debutants are enjoying every moment of the experience whilst acknowledging that facing better opposition has only strengthened their playing ability as a team.

“It feels pretty great to be here and it’s been fun, the competition’s hard but the girls are doing good and pushing through,” said Liana Letfallah, U16 Dubbo Devils player.

“These girls are honestly a lot more skilled than what we’re usually up against so the competition’s much harder than usual.”

“Our main goals for this were to have fun, work as a team and try our hardest so the tough opposition has really helped us do that,” added Letfallah. “These tournaments are so beneficial as you get to grow and learn as a team.”

After the tournament concludes, a few members of this representative team will be departing, so the girls have made sure to prioritise teamwork and make as much of the experience as possible because it will be the last time playing with some of their teammates of whom they have grown close to.

“We all really wanted to focus on teamwork this tournament because for a few of us it will be the last time we get to play together so we have to make the most of it,” commented Letfallah. “For us that are staying we just want to grow, we all agree that we’ve gotten so much better.”

The U16 girls’ side are grateful that the Devils operate within an inclusive environment that grants players external chances for them to develop as footballers.

“It’s very inclusive at Dubbo, they’re always looking to make competitions better and give us more opportunities,” stated Letfallah. “It’s the best to play here, obviously pink’s the best colour as well so that’s also great.”

Words: William Rumgay