On Friday in the newsroom discussion turned to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, an international sporting event of epic proportions.

We thought it fitting to come up with a front page to recognise the Illawarra's very own Matilda Caitlin Foord ahead of Sunday night's opening game against Italy.

As a region we've watched Caitlin grow up from a baby-faced kid running the sporting fields of Shellharbour to a genuine international superstar of the world game shining on grounds around the globe.

Caitlin is just 24, yet this will be her third World Cup.

Mercury sports editor Tim Barrow identified the image of a young Caitlin taken in 2006 and we came up with the concept of having a young Caitlin and a present day Caitlin with the headline 'Growing Up Green and Gold'.

Our Australian Community Media designer Aaron Stewart pulled the idea together and created the front page which was shared right across the country and indeed the world.

Later today we'll have a message wall up where you can leave a message of support for Caitlin and we're hoping Caitlin's mum Simone will hand deliver those to Caitlin later this week.

And tomorrow we celebrate a host of local heroes.

As part of the Queen's Birthday Honours List we'll reveal who from the Illawarra has been recognised.

We can't tell you yet, other than to say it's a big list!