The 17-year-old was named in Gary van Egmond's 23-player squad for first international tournament with the Young Matildas.

The team will be hoping to finish the top two in their group to reach the next round in Thailand.

It's a big moment for Evans, who could have never imagined she would be going to an international tournament when she first started playing football in the Northern Territory.

She joined the Moriarty Foundation’s John Moriarty Football grassroots program as a 10-year-old before becoming the first graduate of the program.

Evans, who was scouted by Central Coast Mariners A-League interim coach Alen Stajcic, went on to secure a place at Westfields Sports High School through the John Moriarty Football Scholarship Program.

Since then, the now year 12 student, has made both her Young Matildas and W-League debuts with both coming in 10 months of each other. 

Both were unforgettable moments. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What an unforgettable moment 🙌🏾💙 #Debut @sydneyfootballclub

A post shared by Shadeene Evans 🖤💛❤️ (@shadeene_evans) on

The Foundation has been able to give not only Evans an opportunity to reach the top level of women's football in the country, but others from her community as well.

“It is creating a lot of opportunities for me and for the young kids in my community in the Northern Territory," she said.

"I'm excited to be part of the Young Matildas squad and can't wait to run out on the field in Myanmar!”

One person particularly proud of Evans is John Moriarty.

“Everyone at Moriarty Foundation is so proud of Shay Evans," he said.

"We’ve been a part of her journey since she joined our grassroots football program in Borroloola as a young athlete, and it is a very big moment for us to see her take the international stage with the Young Matildas."

“Shay is a great example of the opportunity and long-lasting impact we can enable for Aboriginal children when we invest in locally embedded community programs for our youth’s education and wellbeing.”

The Young Matildas will face Nepal in their opening match on Friday, April 26 at 6.30pm (AEST).