Extraordinary untold story of Sydney FC's teen star

Every so often, a generational talent comes along. Willa Pearson may just be that player for Australian football.

The 15-year-old Sydney FC defender has defied her age to emerge as one of the game’s brightest talents. She’s already shattered two Ninja A-League records in the process.

Pearson eclipsed Sam Kerr’s 17-year-old record to become the league’s youngest ever goal scorer aged 15 years and 51 days last week, having entered the history books as the competition’s youngest player (14y, 312d) back in November.

The teenage phenom incredibly would have had another slice of history to her name, if A-Leagues legend Ante Juric was still in charge of the Sky Blues.

Juric had planned to make Pearson captain for Sydney’s recent showdown against Brisbane Roar on February 13.

“No one knows this story except me and her, and my assistants,” former Sydney head coach Juric revealed in an interview with Football360.

“We were going to have the game against Brisbane on Wednesday night and I left (the club) late on Monday night but Monday after training, I actually went up to her and said ‘you’re going to be the captain on Wednesday, are you okay with that?’

“So she would’ve been the youngest ever captain as well as everything else.

“(Sarah) Hunter was injured. I know players know this. I spoke to her (Willa) after training and she said she was so honoured. I think Macca (Mackenzie Hawkesby) got it with the new coach on Wednesday.

“But it shows how much I believed in her because she’s the most mature, she’s composed, she’s a leader and she’ll captain teams in the future.

“It just comes across, this aura about her. She is only that young.

“Her maturity is beyond her years. The way she plays with discipline, which 14-year-old’s shouldn’t play with. More disciplined than some of my more experienced players.

“It’s a big thing but they come around once every 20-30 years, these kinds of people and players.”

Pearson has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the Harbour City, so much so it is easy to forget her age. Just ask Juric.

The talented youngster was promoted from Sydney FC’s Female Development Squad in July last year.

Pearson has not looked back.

“I believed as soon as I saw her, it took me a minute and I sort of picked her out and knew she’d be one for the future,” said Juric, who departed Sydney as the club’s most successful coach after guiding the Sky Blues to three Championships and three Premierships during his eight-and-a-half-year tenure.

“We invited her last year. She was here with us, trained all year last year. We knew early on at 12 she was different, the way she played.

“Obviously a lot to learn but someone who stood out straight away in my book and mostly because of the composure and calmness and things that the best players in the world have, which is hard to teach.

“Game understanding and just competitiveness. Everything in terms of that. Especially being a centre-back that shone through because you don’t get many girls or boys for that matter with that composure.

“Me being an ex-centre-back it definitely clicked to me straight away that this girl is special. Then the year under her belt. Just training with us and you saw she’s ready.

“To be honest, I asked the question to certain people in the club if we could sign her but I didn’t realise she was that young, because I just thought she was a certain age like 13 but she was 12 when I actually said if we could get her in on maybe a scholarship. They said she’s too young and you can’t do it.

“That’s how good she was in my head. I didn’t even consider her being young from a football point of view.

“Then this year again we tried to get them signed because obviously she was still under age so I made sure they pushed because she was strong enough, good enough and the APL let it go through.”

He added: “She’s got a lot to learn but I knew she could handle it physically, and mentally and composure and calmness, nothing fazes her. She’s the most composed player in the team outside of (Nat) Tobin, and we have 26 and 27-year-olds.”

Australian football has benefited from Juric’s eye for talent over the years.

The former Socceroo has helped bring through some of the most exciting and best footballers in Australia, whether as a junior national team boss or Sydney FC coach.

So, where does Pearson rank?

“It’s hard not to put pressure when I say what I’m going to say but I was lucky enough to have brought up Ellie Carpenter when I was national junior coach at 14 and then put her straight into the U19s as a 14-year-old,” said Juric.

“She’s up there with her but different. Ellie is a more physical player but Willa is a better player if that makes sense, at that age.

“Probably the closest example I can get… I was also lucky enough to coach Alanna Kennedy when I was at Westfield (Sports High) and she was in year 7.

“She was technically beautiful but Willa is a better player at the same age. Lana’s obviously had a long career and she’s a beautiful player but if I had to pick one from Year 7, I’d go Willa – and I love Lana, no disrespect to her. It’s just how good Willa is.

“Especially as a defender. It’s very unique to be able to defend the way she does. Lana was technically nice, and Willa is not far off but Willa is just an out-and-out defender. She understands the job of defending and it’s a selfless person that defends and she’ll do everything for the team to defend.

“She is only young and you never know what happens in life going forward but I can’t see her not making it. I think she is one of the best defenders in the league now.

“Other teams have come and said this girl is going to play for the Matildas. Everyone is seeing it. She’s exceptional.”

Extraordinary untold story of Sydney FC’s teen star

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