As the Junior Ferns gathered at Auckland International Airport for their flight to take them to Chile 08, a handful of the squad offered their thoughts on a variety of topics. For some of the squad, this was their second U-20 Women's World Cup Finals journey, while one member of the team was making her first trip abroad full stop. They shared one goal, however - advancing to the quarter-finals, and if possible, beyond. Captain Katie Hoyle led the way. “I think I was captain for a couple of years at high school, and maybe for Waikato reps as well, but I can't remember. It's certainly been a while since I've actually been a captain. “However, while I haven't asked the likes of Terry McCahill, Hayley Moorwood and Kirsty Yallop - New Zealand captains all - for any specific advice relating to captaining my country, playing alongside them over the years has, in a way, given me my advice. “It's really good to have the experience to call on going into this tournament. Going to the 2006 finals in Russia, we had none whatsoever, so with what I've experienced since then - those finals, last year's Women's World Cup Finals and this year's Olympics, I'm definitely excited about this one. “We're set on making it past the quarter-finals and beyond - we'll see what happens. Personally, my on-field plans are to make the next Women's World Cup and Olympic teams, and next year, hopefully commence university studies towards a B. Phys. Ed. Degree”. She may well come across Liz Milne if she's going to Auckland University. “I'm hoping to commence a five-year course in architecture next year, so I'll be in Auckland for a while. “I came up to Auckland from Wellington this year, and it's been a pretty smooth transition, really. There have been a few hard moments - it's been a bit hard being away from home for the first time - but I'm so glad I came up. It's definitely been for the best. “All the hard work has paid off. My only previous international experience, prior to the Four Nations tournament in Chile in September, was as a member of an U-16 Development Squad which went to Coffs Harbour in 2006. So this is pretty exciting. “I'm hoping to get some game-time, of course, but my focus is more towards the team - let's get through to the quarter-finals and see what we can do! Beyond that, I'm looking forward to the next U-20 Women's World Cup, and making any other women's teams I can as soon as possible!” For goalkeeper Rebekah Brook, simply making this team has been a dream come true. “It's definitely the biggest thrill of my career. What's more, it's my first trip abroad, so I'm really excited. “I started playing when I was eleven. I offered to go in goal, strangely, and have been there ever since. I played with the boys for two years, then straight up to the senior women's competition. “My whole family encouraged me to play. My dad, Steve, is really into football, and my older brother played as well, so I've sort of grown up with it. I liked it as well, so …

Katie Hoyle Caitlin Campbell Ssarah McLaughlin Chelsey Wood

“For me, this trip's about getting experience. Beyond Chile, I want to work towards the Football Ferns for the next World Cup, and, if not that, 2015. Meantime, I'll be keeping goal for Northern while studying Psychology at Otago University”. Tertiary studies have been far from the thoughts of Caitlin Campbell and Sarah McLaughlin of late. They've had another World Cup on their minds, of course, and have some special memories of that they'll be taking with them long after Chile 08 has concluded. “The first game, with 13,123 people supporting us. And winning against Columbia, of course. We finished on a high in the U-17 World Cup, and hopefully we'll improve on that on this trip”, said Caitlin. “If I get on, I'll try my best to make an impact on the game and score some goals”, chimed in `Macca' re her Chile ambitions. Caitlin, meanwhile, intended “getting forward as much as I can, winning all my one-on-one battles, and using my diags - diagonal passes - to good effect”. “After Chile, if we're back in time I'll be going to the Touch Nationals in December”, says Sarah, “after which I'm going back to Hamilton to have a holiday over Christmas, then get back into it next year. I've been appointed school captain at Fraser High School in 2009, in my seventh form year”. Caitlin, meanwhile, will “rest up for a week, then start training again - go down to the stadium and have a kick-around with myself, feel depressed that everything's over for another two years, but have some fun and enjoy my free time while I have it”. Chelsey Wood has certainly been having fun since the announcement of this squad, as it has allowed her to step out of the shadow of her brother, Christopher, the NZ U-17 international who is currently on the books at West Bromwich Albion. “Living in my brother's shadow is a bit hard. It's very exciting that Christopher has been very successful, and hopefully I'll be able to do something myself in Chile - the prospect of being the first brother and sister to represent New Zealand in football is a very special feeling. “This selection caps off a big year for me. It's a bit of a relief to finally get in, having missed out on September's Four Nations trip, but being named Player of the Year and winning the league with Western Springs was huge for me. “It's my third year at Springs now, and I intend to keep going in the Northern League, do a degree in biomedical science at Auckland University, work hard in the National Women's League when that starts up again - I played for Waikato-Bay of Plenty in that competition previously, and possibly play for the Football Ferns in the future. “Prior to this, my only other international experience was as a member of the NZ Secondary Schoolgirls squad in 2006. So on this tour, I'm looking to gain experience for the next U-20s in 2010, learn as much as I can, particularly from the senior players, and heed the advice my brother gave me this morning”. It was practical advice, and applies across the board where the Junior Ferns are concerned. If the opportunity avails itself, “Grab it with both hands”.