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More firsts loom for young Sky Blues star

3 minute read

Sydney FC's Shadeene Evans has come a long way her beginnings in the NT and has more challenges to look forward to in the W-League clash with Melbourne Victory.

Sydney FC's Shadeene Evans has reached plenty of milestones in the past few months and now the Northern Territory product is eyeing another personal highlight when champions the Sky Blues host Melbourne City in an epic W-League match-up.

In recent months, the 18-year-old has signed her first senior team contract, represented Australia's under-20 side, scored her first W-League goal and has begun a university course in social work.

It's a long way literally and figuratively from Borroloola. Inland from the Gulf of Carpentaria, the town is so remote the nearest major supermarket is 600km away.

On the recommendation of former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic, and with financial support from John Moriarty Football, Evans travelled from Borroloola five years ago to link up with Westfield Sports High's elite football program.

"It took me a while (to adapt to Sydney), maybe two years," Evans said.

"But I really wanted to pursue something in football so I was very motivated to come down and give it my best shot."

In the opening game of the season three weeks ago, Evans came off the bench to score against premiers Melbourne Victory and has remained part of Sydney FC match day squad since, despite the immense talent pool at the Sky Blues.

Knocking over Melbourne City at Cromer Park in Sydney on Sunday is the next challenge, with Evans's self-confessed role model, Kyah Simon, lining up for the opposition.

Playing against Simon will be another first for Evans.

Sydney-raised Simon is the only indigenous Australian to score at a World Cup, doing so in 2011 and 2015.

"As a young indigenous kid in the Northern Territory, I always looked up to Kyah Simon," said Evans.

"She was one of my role models growing up throughout my school years as a player and as a person.

"I would watch her on YouTube and she was very inspirational for me.

"It is always good to see other indigenous players do what they are doing ... coming from an indigenous background and pursuing their dreams.

"It motivates me seeing other indigenous athletes doing things like that."

Along with long-serving Matildas' goalkeeper Lydia Williams, Simon is living proof of what indigenous athletes can offer football.

"Heaps of (indigenous) kids (in remote Australia) have talent but there is no opportunity in remote communities, I guess no one is seeing them," Evans said.

"I hope to inspire other indigenous kids to look up to other indigenous athletes and hopefully one day they can do achieve success."

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