The teenager played 12 games in her first season, but Victory coach Jeff Hopkins opted to play her just three times in the current campaign as the Big V finished top of the table this week.

Her parents Jai Cross and Jessica Cooney are proud of the teenager, but the pair are both wary of the pressure playing in the W-League.

Kyra turns 17 next week and could potentially be part of a W-League championship with Victory as the navy blue have struggled since Melbourne City’s induction into the top flight.

Jai played football at semi-pro level in Queensland with Sunshine Coast Fire and he added his daughter grew up with a ball at her feet.

Kyra is maturing every year. Supplied by Gold Leaf Creative

“I’m proud, it comes out pretty quickly, they all grow up right in front of your eyes and their careers do the same,” Jai tells The Women’s Game.

“At 13, she just started at NTC and a year later, she’s trialling for the Mini Matildas and it hasn’t stopped since then. It’s one thing onto another and you must take it as it comes.

“She has had to grow up quickly, she’s been to six different schools now, so maybe that’s helped her out a bit.

“Even with football talent, she’s always played with older girls and boys, so she’s used to being older than what she actually is. I think she’s touted as one of the cheeky ones whenever she’s around the older girls, so maybe that’s why she adapts really well to it.”

Jessica adds that Kyra has a stoic personality and was happy with the way Victory have treated her this year.

Premiers.

“I believe Jeff Hopkins is trying to do the right thing by her,” Jess said.

“I just think it’s that environment. The W-League is quite a high level and she’s involved in it, so that comes with pressure, but she’s pretty happy there.

“I think there was a lot of pressure last season and there was a lot of media hype around her at the beginning as well.

“I’m so proud of her. At the same time, just aware of that pressure too on her and how she performs and I think that was quite hard.”

Jess also added Kyra has developed significantly since last season after watching her daughter nervously on the sidelines.

She also recalls when Kyra first started playing football as a child.

“I signed her up to a little program called Soccer Squirts in Coolum,” she revealed.

“She was quite small, at four-years-old and that was her first experience with a soccer club. All these kids running around chasing a ball was pretty cute. From there, I was just signed her up every year after.

Kyra in action for the Young Matildas against Thailand

“The last W-League season was hard, every game was quite nerve-racking to watch her.

“If she feels she didn’t have a good game, it really affects her and that’s what’s hard as a parent, seeing your child impacted by that. At such a young age, that’s a lot of pressure to be under.”

Jai added that Kyra was easy-going and urged her to reach for the stars.

The versatile teenager can play as a striker, a playmaker and a winger. She already has vast experience representing Australia at junior level.

The Young Matildas are eyeing a place at the U19 Asian Championships in Thailand which starts in late October.

The teenager plays the final match of the regular season

“She comes across as really shy if you don’t know her, so it might be a few words or one-liners,” Jai said.

“Once you get to know her and she opens up. She’s a really good kid, likes to have a laugh and she doesn’t like to take too many things seriously.

“She’s definitely got the talent there, but her biggest thing is she can overthink a situation too much and be too hard on herself.

“Watching her in the W-League last season shows that and I think she’ll be better off this season being in the program she’s been in. It’s all up to her and there’s no pressure. A World Cup in the future is definitely there if she wants it.”

Victory take on Perth Glory in the semi-final at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.