When the Matildas defeated Iran’s national women’s football team in last week's Asian Cup clash on the Gold Coast, Bondy Layla Adams wasn’t just watching – she was imagining herself there.
The Bond University Bachelor of Project Management student has already worn the green and gold with the Junior Matildas at the AFC Asian Cup in 2023 and 2024 and remains firmly on the radar of selectors in the Young - Matildas monitoring squad.
“Playing for your country is such an amazing opportunity,” she said.
“It’s something most people don’t get to do, so to know that I’ve worked hard and gotten there is absolutely amazing.
“Playing over in Vietnam was an awesome experience.
“The environment was so professional. We had schedules for every day, meals set out for peak performance and all the recovery equipment - we did the whole process.”
The Gold Coast United goalkeeper had a rapid rise to national honours having only played four years of football before being named in the Junior Matildas squad.
Prior to that she focused on futsal.
“Initially I played futsal at school,” she said.
“We would play at lunch time with my friends and I could not pass a ball to save myself, so they put me in goals so I could still be a part of it.
“I had quite good hand-eye coordination, so I loved playing keeper.”
Her move into soccer happened by chance.
“My transition to soccer came when my friends needed someone to fill in on their team. I played one game and then ended up playing for the rest of the season,” she said.
Unsurprisingly, Adams looks up to Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
“Mackenzie Arnold seems like an obvious choice, but I admire her because of her resilience,” Adams said.
“She was third keeper and second keeper for years and it was only recently that she made it to that first position.
“For her to be there year after year even though she wasn’t playing inspires me not to give up.”
Adams said goalkeeping is often misunderstood as a position that only springs into action when a shot is taken.
“Being a keeper, lots of people think you only turn on when someone’s about to shoot and that’s where your job starts and ends,” she said.
“But a good keeper is constantly communicating with the team. You can see the entire field, so you’re a second pair of eyes for everyone.
“Your mind never stops, it’s a very mentally focused role.”
Off the field, Adams’ passion for teamwork and communication led her to study a Bachelor of Project Management at Bond University.
“I love Bond. It’s really full on, but that works well for me,” Adams said.
“Because there are three semesters a year the work is always consistent … there is always something to do.
“Project management is something I’m interested in. I’ve always had to manage my time with football commitments and studies.
“It’s exactly what I want the management, organising and planning ahead, which I love.”