While she may only be 18, Jada Whyman has already played three seasons in the W-League for Western Sydney Wanderers.

In that time the Wagga Wagga local has played for Australia’s national youth teams and was called up to her first senior Matildas camp in February 2017, when she was only 15.

Even though established players like Lydia Williams and Mackenzie Arnold are ahead of her in the selection stakes, the 18-year-old is still aiming to be picked for next year’s Women’s World Cup.

“I want to be there," she said. "I want to be in the squad and I am working hard to make it. It is a short term goal for me.

“I plan on working hard to get into that team and help Alen Stajcic win the World Cup. There are three great keepers in there at the moment and it will be difficult to break into that.

“They are doing a great job, but it’s up to me to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully the opportunity comes along.”

Earlier this year Whyman was the inaugural recipient of the rebel Role Model Award given to players whose influence on the game extends beyond the field.

She says that being a role model to youngsters from her community is very important to her.

“I feel I can give back to the community,” she said. "Over the past three seasons the Wanderers have allowed me to do that which is great.

“For me, Kyah Simon and Lydia Williams are an amazing inspiration and so is Shadeene Evans.”

Whyman is a former teammate of fellow Indigenous footballer Shadeene Evans from their time together at the NSW Institute of Sport.

Three years ago, then 15-year-old Shadeene Evans moved from Borroloola, a remote town in the Northern Territory to Sydney on a John Moriarty Football scholarship, where she attended Westfield Sports High School and NSWIS.

JMF was recently honoured as one of the three finalists in FIFA's prestigious Diversity Award for their work coaching Indigenous kids and providing a pathway to a professional career.

When Shadeene made her debut for the Australia’s U20 team earlier this year it was a proud moment for Whyman as well.

“I watched Shay play Australia played Thailand and it was an awesome achievement for her since she moved down from Borroloola a few years ago,”  she said.

“It’s a great opportunity for her and her development has gone out of sight, school-wise and football-wise.

"For her to have the achievement of wearing a green and gold jersey was amazing.

“With the work that is going on with the John Moriarty Foundation and the players coming down to Sydney, I’d love to be a mentor for all those young kids.”