Youngest A-League Player: Willa Pearson Breaks Record at 14

Sydney FC's Willa Pearson makes history in A-League

Willa Pearson becomes the youngest player to feature in A-League Men or Women at 14 years and 312 days old, breaking a record previously held by Ischia Brooking.

“I'm knackered at the moment but thank you to everybody who believed in me, who gave me the opportunity...”

Sydney FC defender Willa Pearson made history by becoming the youngest player to feature in an A-League match, men's or women's, at just 14 years and 312 days old. Pearson broke the record in her debut match against Melbourne City, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

Pearson's achievement surpasses the previous record held by Western Sydney Wanderers' Ischia Brooking, who debuted at 14 years and 347 days in 2023. The young defender's milestone also puts her ahead of Australian football legend Sam Kerr, who made her debut at 15 years old in 2008.

Australian football has seen a remarkable shift in talent and experience, highlighted by the record-breaking debut of young players. Samantha Kerr's long-standing record for the youngest A-League Women player was broken by Talia Younis in 2023. Kerr had debuted for Perth Glory at 15 years and 45 days, a record that stood for nearly 15 years.

𝙍𝙀𝘾𝙊𝙍𝘿 𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙀𝙍 💫

At 14 years old and 312 days old, Willa Pearson becomes the 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓 in A-Leagues history 😮✨

She was born on Christmas Eve in 2010... And now she is starting in the Ninja A-League in 2025 👊#WeAreSydney pic.twitter.com/PN8O61KkM2

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) November 1, 2025

In a testament to the competition's enduring appeal, 13-year-old Pearson recently joined Sydney FC, marking a new generation of talent in the league. Her debut was notable not only for her age but also for the contrast with the league's oldest player, Melissa Barbieri, showcasing the broad age range and experience in the competition.

“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 said.

Head coach Ante Juric said Pearson shows great maturity for her age. “We have been very impressed with her progress in training, and tonight she showed she's more than capable of handling the occasion,” he added.

Sydney FC will take on Adelaide United on November 8 in the A-League Women, with the match scheduled to kick off at 06:00 WAT