Lily Punch, a Junior Matilda from Bridgeman Downs, is chasing big dreams with hard work: from representing Australia at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup to aspiring for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Brisbane Olympics, and a career in Europe’s top leagues.

For over two years, Lily has proudly worn the Junior Matildas jersey. In 2024, she competed in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup in Indonesia. Facing tough teams like China, Japan, and Thailand, Lily scored a key goal against Thailand, showcasing her talent.
Off the field, she is studying Sport Coaching through TAFE Queensland’s Academy of Sport. This program, created with Football Queensland, helps students gain recognised qualifications while still in school. Lily is working on her Certificate II and III in Sport Coaching.
Building Coaching Skills
Each week, Lily trains at the South Pine Sports Complex under Karl Dodd, a former professional player and coach. The program mixes classroom learning with hands-on coaching. It gives Lily the tools to train and connect with players effectively.
In 2024, she joined a community coaching session in Cairns. The event supported young girls from First Nations, refugee, and migrant backgrounds. For Lily, it reinforced her passion for mentoring future players.
Dreaming Big
Lily has big goals. She wants to play for Brisbane Roar and compete in Europe’s top leagues. She also dreams of representing Australia at the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Brisbane Olympics in 2032. For her, every training session and class is a step closer to these ambitions.

Inspiring the Community
Bridgeman Downs is proud of Lily’s achievements. She’s not just a footballer but a role model, giving back through community coaching while chasing her own dreams.
Lily remains focused on balancing her studies and sport. As she builds her skills, she’s paving the way for a bright future in football and coaching. The community and fans alike will be cheering her on.
Published 15-Jan-2025
