The CommBank Young Matildas join China U-20 Women’s National Team in visit to Xiamen Xindian Middle School | Football Australia

As part of the China International Series, the CommBank Young Matildas were joined by the Chinese U-20 Women’s National Football Team for a festival celebrating women’s football, hosted by Xiamen Xindian Middle School in the Fujian Province.

The FIFA-Chinese Football Association ‘Chasing Dreams’ Girls’ Football Festival commenced with a vibrant opening ceremony, which included a cultural dragon and lion dance, as well as a traditional martial arts and acrobatics performance.

Following this, the CommBank Young Matildas and Chinese U-20 Women’s National Football Team took to the adjacent football field to run a series of football clinics for 120 girls of various ages from six schools across the Xiang’an District.

CommBank Young Matildas Jessika Nash and Sasha Grove welcomed the opportunity provide some football activity for girls in Xiamen alongside their Chinese counterparts.

Nash said: “It was great to spend the morning with some players from the Chinese team, working together to support young girls who want to play football.”

“We’re looking forward to the matches in the next few days, but this was a chance for us to learn more about China’s culture by seeing the performances, and spend time together off the field too.”

Grove echoed this, noting that representing your country comes with responsibility on and off the field: “The games we’re playing against the Chinese U-20 team and the school visit are opportunities for both countries to learn from each other and bring people together.”

“I’m proud to play a role in connecting Australia with the rest of the world through football.”

China U-20 Women’s National Football Team players Mei Jingyan and Zhang Yiqian also spoke about how the world game can bring countries