“We lost a lot when we lost the (player development) institute structures in 2012. We had a solid base where players could train full time with psych and conditioning.

“When we lost that, we lost the resources that our young players needed. The Future Matildas program goes someway to repairing that, but it’s only lasted one year so far. We haven’t qualified for a Youth World Cup since 2006.

“We’ll now have 20-30 players we can train full-time, under our eye.  Each of these players are in the running. But the most important aspect is their development, expose them to the level they need to get to.

“You can see the benefits (of the Future Matildas) already through the likes of Princess Ibini and Larissa Crummer. If we can have that kind of program that sees the production line continuing, producing one to two new Matildas every year, then we’ll be in good shape.”

After “15 years living” within the chaotic world of Australian football governance, ‘Staj’ has overseen his fair share of challenges. But most importantly for the keen-eyed coach, so have his team.

“Having lived in the organisation for the past 15 years, I’ve got to see first-hand the change in mentality in FFA and the way women’s football is perceived,” he continued.

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“It is very equal in the amount of care and resources across the board. Socceroos and Matildas games get the same amount of care and detail.

“Everyone in the hierarchy knows how much I nag, but it really has been a delight to see how much people’s attitudes have shifted and it’s obvious to see the change. We can call upon virtually the same level of staff that Socceroos can.

“Mental strength is the extra element that we need to work on. That was (Matildas record cap-holder) Cheryl Salisbury – she had that presence to influence people around her – that’s the yardstick that people in our team use.

“I’ve never seen a single successful career that’s had a linear progression, it’s the people who fight back when all seems lost.

“You only have to look at the things our team have had to go through, the challenges they’ve faced, to see how important this is.

“The people who rise to the top of the world are those who pick themselves up most often.”