Courtney Nevin has strong support from family as she takes on the Olympics

In June, 2021, the 19-year-old received her first Matilda's selection and has since been named to the Matilda's 22-woman travelling roster for the Olympics (18 of which will be selected for each game).

Nevin started out with the Oakville Ravens in the under 6's, where she showed her football prowess early winning player of the year for the club, the first girl to do so.

She went on to play with Parklea, in her first all girls team, and then onto the Blacktown Spartans in the NPL.

Nevin has a Women's League contract with the Western Sydney Wanderers and has moved her way up the ranks of the Matildas having played in the Mini, Young and Future Matildas squads.

Nevin's parents, Angelica and Phil are incredibly proud of her and everything she has already achieved in her young career.

Angelica said it was amazing that Courtney was selected and so exciting for her to be headed to her first Olympics,

"It will help with her belief in herself that she can reach future goals," she said. "It's an amazing opportunity for her to be amongst the best players and athletes in the world.

"It's just been amazing for her, the whole turntable of events that have led to her being there and a part of the team."

Phil said it was unreal to see Nevin in the Olympics and thinks it's a great opportunity for her to learn and play with other talented players.

"Everyone around has been really excited about it," he said. "It helps to be rubbing shoulders with some of the best in the world.

"For sure [it will help her career]. She will be out there learning and being a back there is longevity in that role."

Nevin has had interstate teammates live with her and her mother over recent years, including Kyra Cooney-Cross - who has also been selected for the Olympics.

Angelica said it has been great having these other players come to live with Nevin.

"It's just additional motivation," she said. "They have to go to training and they have to be organised. Be prepared to get out there and do it.

"They've both got the same goal and that sets people on their journey."

It has been difficult for the families of Olympians, as they have been unable to travel to Tokyo with the athletes, but the Matilda's have been trying to keep the families in the loop of what's happening.

Phil said they've had Zoom calls and there is WhatsApp group set up for all the parents.

"They had a ceremony the other night, the parents all got to have a little speech and we did a little sign for her," he said."That was nice of the coach to organise a zoom meeting for all the parents.

"Through WhatsApp they keep sending us stuff in a parent group they had set up. They're doing their best to keep us involved.

"They understand that it's pretty crap that we don't get to go over and watch them play."

Angelica said it had been hard not being able to go to the olympics with Nevin and be a part of it.

"But with facetime we still get to have visual contact," she said. "We miss her, she's been gone now for seven, nearly eight weeks now.

"That's probably the longest time we haven't seen her for.

"They've kept us involved on their journey and let us know where they are and when they've arrived."

Nevin's grandmother, Barbara, said that she has always known Nevin would be a Matilda and an Olympian.

"We're extremely proud of her," she said. " Courtney had shown she had the talent since she was six-years-old.

"We've followed her everywhere, since she was first selected to represent NSW.

"[Courtney and her football] in one of the most important things in our lives."

Nevin's support in her career hasn't just been from her parents. Her primary school, Oakville Public School (where she was Vice Captain and Sports Champion), has supported her along her journey.

On her first selection to the NSW PSSA team, Oakville held a mufti-day with a gold coin donation to raise the money needed to send her to nationals, and she has since gone back to present awards at the school.

Courtney Nevin and the Matilda's will get their Olympics underway on Wednesday, July 21 at 9:30pm (AEST) against New Zealand.

Game Two will be on Saturday, July 24 at 6:30pm (AEST) against Sweden.

With Game Three on Tuesday, July 27 at 6pm (AEST) against USA.