The Manly Warringah Football Association recently celebrated one of its brightest young talents, presenting Willa Pearson with a commemorative jersey to mark her remarkable start to life in top-flight football.
The special presentation recognised Willa’s historic achievement of becoming the youngest player to score a goal in the A-League Women, surpassing the previous record held by Matildas superstar Sam Kerr. The jersey, proudly bearing Willa’s Association playing number 6, was presented in honour of both her incredible milestone and her strong connection to the local football community.
Willa’s journey began at BTH Raiders, where she spent four seasons in the MWFA mixed competition from 2022 to 2025. During that time, she made an enormous impact on the field, co-captaining and helping guide the team to an incredible run of success – four Premierships, four Grand Finals, two State Cups and two Champion of Champions titles. Beyond her performances on the pitch, Willa also became a valued mentor, regularly assisting with junior teams and setting a fantastic example for younger players.
Willa first made headlines last year when she debuted for Sydney FC against Melbourne City, becoming the youngest ever player in A-League Women history. She also made her first international appearance the same year, playing for the Australia Women Under 17s team. Her latest accolade is yet another exciting milestone in a football journey that continues to gather momentum.
Her achievements are even more impressive when considering the demands she balances as a multi-sport athlete. Alongside football, Willa competes at State and National level in Cricket, AFL and Netball, with aspirations of one day becoming a dual international in football and cricket – following in the footsteps of her sporting inspiration, Elyse Perry.
While her footballing talent is clear for all to see, those who know Willa best say her character stands out even more – grounded, humble, and always ready to help others.
An exceptional footballer and an even better person, Willa Pearson continues to be a role model for the Northern Beaches football community, and the MWFA is incredibly proud to celebrate her achievements while wishing her every success in the years ahead.
