Cowra's Ellie Carpenter is currently Australia’s youngest 2016 Olympian after being selected in the 18-player Matildas squad.
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Coach Alen Stajcic named the squad on Monday morning, rewarding Carpenter on her recent performances for Australia.
To play for the country is amazing but to go to the Olympics at 16, it defies belief.
- Adam Gambrill
The 16-year-old has featured at right back for the majority of her time in the Matildas jersey, but can also play as a defensive mid-fielder.
Cowra’s senior soccer side coach Adam Gambrill said it’s an incredible achievement.
“It’s amazing. To play for the country is amazing but to go to the Olympics at 16, it defies belief,” Gambrill said. “Not many athletes could say they’ve done that.”
Carpenter was registered as a Cowra junior soccer player from the age of three, through to the year 2010. She was signed by Western Sydney Wanderers and entered the Matildas camp last year.
The Olympics begin on Friday, August 5.