Earlier this week, it was announced that BTH Raiders player Willa Pearson has signed a contract with Sydney FC for the upcoming A-League Women season.
BTH Raiders Under-15 Division 1 coach Nate Gray was full of praise for Willa, who has co-captained that group of players for the last three years.
“Willa is the most coachable kid I’ve ever had the pleasure of dealing with. She’s just so intelligent, the way she grasps onto information really quickly, and has that ability to embed what she’s learned straight away.
“That’s probably her best trait. It’s been a real positive for us.”
Willa is usually the only girl on the field when she plays for BTH, but it hasn’t fazed her.
“I think that playing with boys has set her in good stead as well, by challenging herself, definitely in terms of the physicality.”
2025 has already been a big year for Willa. She participated in the recent Emerging Matildas Championships (formerly known as the National Youth Championships), and has also received callups to Junior Matildas (Australia Under-17) squads. Incredibly, Willa’s talents extend beyond football, to other sports.
“She’s a state cricketer, a state netballer, a state AFL player, and now an Australian representative footballer.
“Her big sport focus at the moment is football and cricket. She has a goal to follow Ellyse Perry by being a dual international in both of those sports.”
Wishing Willa all the best for her upcoming season with Sydney FC!
