From the archive: Football and friendship

ENDURING BONDS

First published April 2020 
Credit: Tahlea Aualiitia, Pacific Beat, abc.net.au

In August of 2019, the Junior Matildas became the first Australian tour since the Socceroos in 2005 to visit the Pacific when they toured Tonga, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

The Junior Matildas are Australia's national under-17 women's football team coached by Rae Downer.

Even though the matches and Step Up tour have well and truly finished the bond formed between the Junior Matildas and the Pacific football players lives on.

So, when the Junior Matildas heard about the devastating impacts caused by Cyclone Harold, and the global pandemic, they wanted to send a message of support to their Pacific football sisters.

Tahlea Aualiitia spoke to Junior Matildas player Miranda Templeman and film-maker Dean Georgio about the video.

The Junior Matilda's Pacific Step-up tour was a partnership between Football Federation Australia and the Australian Government's Foreign Affairs department.