Aotearoa New Zealand’s squad for the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship — the qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup — taking place next month in Apia, Samoa, has been announced.

Head coach Alana Gunn has selected 18 players, with 14 based domestically and four playing overseas in Australia and the Netherlands. 

The full 18-player squad is:

Cate Atkinson, Northern Tigers (Abbotsleigh), Australia

Micaela Besley, Fencibles United (Botany Secondary College), New Zealand

Eden Chaytor, Fencibles United (Botany Downs College), New Zealand

Miché Cloete, Melville United (Hamilton Girls' High School), New Zealand

Lania Fili, Nepean (Jamison High School), Australia

Aleesha Gray, FSA State Squads (St Peter's Girls’ School), Australia

Alexandra Hedington, Auckland United (Mount Albert Grammar School), New Zealand

Amelia Hitchcock, Eastern Suburbs (Baradene College), New Zealand

Mia Humphrey, Melville United (Waikato Diocesan School), New Zealand

Nienke Lemmens, AZ Alkmaar (Willem Blaeu), Netherlands

Emma Meadows, Melville United (Hamilton Girls’ High School), New Zealand

Elizabeth Rennell, Auckland United (Mount Albert Grammar School), New Zealand

Bonnie Rice, Auckland United (Westlake Girls’ High School), New Zealand

Isla Robson, Auckland United (Mount Albert Grammar School), New Zealand

Madison Sharkey, Wellington Phoenix (Sacred Heart College), New Zealand

Charlotte Summers, Dunedin City Royals (Queen’s High School), New Zealand

Bree Toatelegese, Ellerslie (Saint Kentigern College), New Zealand

Ariana Vosper, Auckland United (Takapuna Grammar School), New Zealand
 

Head coach Alana Gunn is looking forward to kicking off a new cycle with the team:

“It has been great to be able to take a look at a new group of players for this tournament, so I’m excited about getting over to Samoa and testing ourselves at international level.

“With the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and OFC U-16 Women’s Championship now taking place every year, it gives us lots of chances to examine players and provides real competition for places which is what you want as a head coach.”

Aotearoa New Zealand have been drawn in Group B at the tournament, alongside American Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga.

The team will kick off their title defence against Tonga on 2 August 2025, before facing Solomon Islands on 5 August and American Samoa on 8 August.

All matches will take place at Samoa Football HQ in Apia, Samoa and will be available to watch live and free on FIFA+

Article added: Monday 14 July 2025