Hailing from the small and remote town of Borroloola in the Northern Territory close to the Queensland border, Evans grew up enjoying bush life. 

"Growing up in Borroloola is very different from here in Sydney," she said.

"It's rural, there's nothing really much to do apart from playing football, going out hunting and fishing with my family and just enjoying the bush life."

Evans got her first taste of football when she joined other children in the community after school on the local oval to have a "kick about".

At that time, and sometimes still now, no one played in boots, they played with bare feet on the grass even when they played futsal on the concrete basketball courts.

However, at the age of nine, she became part of the Moriarty Foundation's John Moriarty Football Foundation, established by John Moriarty and his son James. John Moriarty was the first Indigenous footballer to be selected for Australia and is also a Borroloola local.

In 2015, needing more development to take her football to the next level, John Moriarty Football awarded Evans the programs first school scholarship. But it meant moving 3,000km away from her hometown and close-knit family to the big smoke of Sydney to attend Westfields Sports High School. 

Since then she's gone on to make her Young Matildas and W-League debut for Sydney FC with both being extremely important moments for the teenager.

Shay Evans with John Moriarty after her W-League debut. Taken by Stephanie Meek (@stephaniemeekphotography)

"It was very important for me to run out there, debuting for my country and representing my country and my people," Evans said.

"It was a very important moment for everyone to see that especially for my family and people back home.

"I was happy with my W-League opportunity.

"I was excited and nervous at the same time, it meant so much to me just going out and giving my best shot.

The community of Borroloola is extremely proud of the 17-year-old, especially her family.

Every time Evans comes back home, which is every few months at the moment, they come racing to see her.

"It's great going back home and they get very excited for me to come home, just to be with everyone again," Evans said.

"So it's good to go home and just be around family again.

"Family play an important role in my life, supporting me in everything, I'm thankful and grateful to have them behind me."

Evans has become a role model for the kids back home but she is also growing to become an inspiration to Indigenous children across the Northern Territory and Australia.

"I want to inspire other young Indigenous Australians to play football or to achieve what they want to achieve."

Unfortunately, football is still playing catchup with the NRL and Aussie Rules which see Indigenous representation around 15 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. Football sees a little over one per cent of the A-League or W-League players being an Indigenous Australian.

Evans would like to see more programs going into indigenous communities around the country to not only give them an opportunity in football but in other aspects of life.

"More programs in the small communities is a great way to give Indigenous children the opportunity to shine in football," she said.

"Even on and off the field like education and health, it's always good to be given the opportunity.

"Just giving them the opportunity to have fun, come together and play football,"

"Hopefully we can continue to develop indigenous footballers in Australia."