Naomi Chinnama - Every setback makes me stronger | Football Australia

Australian football fans know Naomi Chinnama as a reliable centre-back, a young leader, and – as of the CommBank Young Matildas game against Korea Republic – a clutch, last-minute goal scorer.

She is currently competing at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024™, where she has been a key part of the team reaching the semi-finals of the tournament and qualifying for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024™.

How does the 19-year-old Melbourne City defender describe herself?

“Very focused,” she began. “Focused, but also when I can kick back, I do have a good time. I will socialise, and be there for people. I would like to think people someone see me as some who is considerate and kind, but then when I’m on the field – I’m not a monster, but has that mindset that they’ll do anything for their teammates.”

Chinnama has been a feature of Leah Blayney’s CommBank Young Matildas for several years now. She was part of the squad that played at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022™ and is also in the middle of her fourth season at the A-League Women’s level for Melbourne City.

That doesn’t mean that she hasn’t faced setbacks. A non-linear journey, including struggling for game time at different times at club level, has not stopped her driving to succeed.

“With every setback or every bit of adversity that I face, it only makes me stronger,” she explained.

“It’s also about embracing those negative emotions, because they are valid, especially when things don’t go your way - but that’s life, that’s a career as a footballer. Knowing that if you just stick to it and you stay consistent, things will work out.”

The young defender was born in Australia, but her father was born in Trinidad and Tobago, and her mother’s