The UOW squad returned home from the University World Cup on Tuesday having won a silver medal.

The second-place finish came after an agonising grand final defeat, a 114^th-minute penalty handing Uruguay's University of the Republic the title.

Wilkshire said all squad members excelled at the competition and he expects them to become better footballers as a result of the experience.

"I felt the boys played the best football in the tournament," Wilkshire said. "They were unlucky not to get their final reward.

"They should become better players from this. They've shown the level they play at, they've been in a professional environment with the facilities, the hotel, the lifestyle of living and breathing football for two weeks.

"It was a great occasion for them and I hope they go on to bigger and greater things."

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The UOW side was filled with a range of footballers of differing experience, with a handful of Wolves members teaming up with a number of players with NPL2 experiences and local Illawarra Premier League talent.

Wilkshire said the players showcased their talents over the last two weeks and urged them to push their football careers to greater heights in the future.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we see some of the guys in NPL1. There's quite a few of them here that have definitely got the potential, I hope they'll take things on and look to go and improve themselves going forward."

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