Cambridge-based Nat Young — who has been with the RH3 Football Academy for seven years — has been selected for the New Zealand team to play in Tahiti in September.

The team will compete at the 10-nation OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, with the winner qualifying for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be held in the Dominican Republic.

Young (15) developed her football skills and knowledge with the Cambridge centre and has played club football for Cambridge and Hamilton Wanderers.

This year, she made her senior team debut for Hamilton Wanderers, playing in the Kate Sheppard Cup and the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League.

She spent a week of her July school holidays training at women’s A-League club Melbourne Victory.

New Zealand squad

Putri Ardana (Auckland United)
Laura Bennett (Melville United)
Mackenzie Bryant (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Sophie Campbell (Palmerston North Marist)
Isla Cleall-Harding (Taradale AFC)
Amber De Wit (Nomads United)
Charli Dunn (Western Springs)
Alyssha Eglinton (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Emily Humphrey (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Ela Jerez (Western Springs)

Kara McGillivray (Auckland United)
Kyra Morgan (Western Suburbs)
Brooke Neary (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Angela Pivac (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Katie Pugh (Nelson Suburbs)
Holly Robins (Wellington Phoenix Academy)
Hannah Saxon (Eastern Suburbs)
Pia Vlok (Auckland United)
Natalie Young (Hamilton Wanderers)

Tournament format

New Zealand will play the Cook Islands and Samoa in their pool games.

The format for the OFC U-16 tournament will see three groups produce quarter-finalists, followed by semi-finals on September 27, and the final on September 30.