Among the sensationally talented teenagers playing in the NSW Combined High Schools football final, some are destined for higher honours and dreaming of being the next Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr or Aaron Mooy.

But right now, the chance to create school age history awaits.

One of them, 15-year-old Mary Fowler, has already made her mark on the international scene, as part of the Matildas squad at the Tournament of Nations against the USA, Brazil and Japan. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Fowler and her sisters Ciara and Louise will play in the Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts against Sydney’s Burwood Girls High School.

Showing their ability to adapt creative talent into sporting excellence, the Fairy Meadow school has the opportunity to create history as the first ever to win the boys and girls CHS titles in the same year.

“There’s some amazing talent in these teams,” physical education teacher Phil Saunders said. 

“Mary’s a pretty special player, obviously already earning her call-up to the Matildas squad, but there will be a number of Young Matildas in both teams.

“We’re a targeted performing arts school, but this shows the dedication to sport as well, it would be a great achievement to win them both. 

“There were 700 schools involved at the start of the tournament, so it’s a great achievement to make it to the finals, it’s never been done before.”

While the Matildas continue their steady rise towards next year’s World Cup in France, the star power in the Wollongong Performing Arts team ensured a thumping 7-1 win over Lambton High in the semi-final. The Wollongong Performing Arts School teams have a number of players who have come through the Wolves and Stingrays system.

In the squad is Australian under 17 and Wolves youth talent Navarone Darjani, while NSW CHS cricket representative Tane Nunn has shown his football ability.

The school is taking a bus of supporters to Seymour Shaw Park in Sydney, hoping to return with the silverware.

The boys team advanced to Wednesday’s decider against Karabah High – on the NSW side of the ACT border – by beating Epping High School 3-nil. 

“We’ve got 500 boys at our school, they have something like 1400 and have won the tournament on a number of occasions,” Saunders said. 

“We always knew the girls team would do pretty well, but the boys are a bunch of mates who just keep playing for each other and getting better and better.”

Finals

Wednesday

Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda

Girls (5pm): WOLLONGONG HIGH SCHOOL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS v BURWOOD GIRLS

Boys (7pm): WOLLONGONG HSPA v KARABAR HIGH