Willa Pearson, 14, becomes youngest player in A-League history: ‘It was a bit nerve-wracking at the start’

Willa Pearson became the youngest player in A-League history after starting Sydney FC’s game against Melbourne City aged 14 years and 312 days.

The defender played the full 90 minutes of Saturday’s 2-2 draw to surpass the record held by Ischia Brooking, who was 14 years and 347 days old when she made her debut as a substitute in second-half stoppage time for Western Sydney Wanderers against Newcastle Jets in November 2023.

Sydney head coach Ante Juric described Pearson as someone who “doesn’t shy away from the physical side of defending” and praised the manner in which she managed the occasion.

“I’m knackered at the moment but thank you to everybody who believed in me, who gave me the opportunity and I’m so thankful we got a point,” Pearson told Paramount+ at full time.

“It’s been hard for sure,” she said of the step up to senior football. “(It’s been) really hard at training. But I’m really thankful for the opportunity.”

Pearson was tasked with marking City forward Holly McNamara, a 13-time Australia international and last season’s A-League top scorer as City topped the division. The teenager produced a goal-saving block to deny McNamara in the second half.

“It was a bit nerve-wracking at the start when I saw the team sheet and I was like, ‘I’m going to have to play on Holly’,” Pearson added. “She gave me a run for my money today and I was really happy to keep her to no goals. But she’s an amazing player and I’m very lucky to be able to play against talented players like this.”

Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr is a previous holder of Pearson’s youngest A-League player record, having made her debut for Perth Glory at the age of 15 years and 45 days.

“Willa has a really good head on her shoulders and shows great maturity for her age,” head coach Juric told Sydney’s official club website.

“She’s confident on the ball, reads the game well, and doesn’t shy away from the physical side of defending.

“We’ve been very impressed with her progress in training, and tonight she showed she’s more than capable of handling the occasion.”

Saturday’s game at Leichhardt Oval was Sydney and City’s opening fixture of the 2025-26 A-League season. Sydney led twice following goals from Maddison Ayson and Mackenzie Hawkesby, but City came from behind on both occasions through Shelby McMahon and Aideen Keane.

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