Matildas head into camp as Rio preparations ramp up

The Matildas formally commenced their preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympics with the Federal Sports Minister Sussan Ley and Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO David Gallop on hand for the opening of the first camp.

Alen Stajcic has called up 16 Australian based players for the first of five preparation camps to take place at the Australian Institute of Sport.

Along with Matildas co-captains Clare Polkinghorne and Lisa De Vanna, 11 members of the Women's Olympic Qualifiers squad will take part in the four day camp.  Meanwhile forward and recently crowned W-League Young Player of the Year Larissa Crummer returns from a knee injury which ruled her out of the qualifier two days before the Matildas departure for Japan.

Stajcic has also called into the camp defenders Teigen Allen and Georgia Yeoman-Dale and midfielder Caitlin Munoz, who all had strong 2015/16 W-League seasons.

The four AIS camps are just one part of the Matildas preparations with the team set to also play a number of internationals in the FIFA window from 29 May to 9 June with the international Matildas set to participate during this period.

Stajcic has also indicated a four week intensive training block in July 2016 in Brazil is also on the cards as Australia prepares for their opening match against world no. 10 Canada on 3 August 2016.

Increased Australian Government Support and implementation of Women's Football Strategic Plan

With the Matildas considered a genuine medal chance, the support from the federal government continues to come in with Minister Ley on hand for the first day of camp for the announcement that the Matildas will be provided with a share of $330,000 in athlete support payments.

This is on top of the AIS grants provided at the end of last month to support the four May camps.

The formalities also saw the launch of FFA's Women Football Development Guide, which aims to help Australia's 2,300 community clubs promote women's football and nurture the next generation of female players.

“It has been incredible to watch the rapid rise of the Matildas up world rankings over the past 12 months," said Minister Ley.

"But as the Sports and Health Minister it has been equally pleasing to see the soaring growth in female football participation at all levels.”

"The Australian Government is committed to increasing female sports participation at all levels and it’s tremendous to see female football flourishing from our young MiniRoos through to our elite Matildas.”

The Women's Football Development Guide is part of the implementation of the women's football strategic plan as the FFA looking to capitalise on the growth of the women's football as the number one sport for girls.

"Our objective is to continually grow the female participation base until we see an even split between male and female players," said FFA CEO David Gallop.

"The new Guide provides advice and strategies for Australia’s community clubs on recruiting and retaining female participants, coaches, administrators and officials. It's a very good step towards bringing our strategy to life."

The Women's Football Development Guide is available free of charge online at  www.footballaustralia.com.au

Matildas Training Camp Squad: 1-4 May

Matildas – AIS camp dates

• May: 1-4, 16-19,
• June: 13-16, 20-24
• 27 June - 2 July