...soccer World Cup...Under-17 Women's that is...

Here is something you probably won't hear much about, let alone see on tv I'm guessing:

"It is the world's most popular sport, and in New Zealand 30,000 women play it. Tonight, 11 of the best will take to the field, kicking off soccer's first Under-17 Women's World Cup.

Teams from world soccer heavyweights Germany, Brazil and England, as well as the much-fancied United States side, are in the 16-team tournament. In tonight's opening game, the Young Ferns take on Canada." [+]



Above is New Zealand's youngest player, Katie Bowen, at 14 years seven months.

"A quick look at the 336 players in the Under-17 Women's World Cup which kicks off at North Harbour Stadium tonight backs Fifa's strong belief that soccer is the game for all ages.

Of the players from the 16 nations who will run out for matches at this inaugural tournament, more than half (186) were born in 1991. Only players born on or after January 1, 1991, are eligible.

The surprise is that the four oldest players - Jessica Rollings (New Zealand), Noelia Cuevas (Paraguay), Carine (Brazil) and Anne Thirup Rudmose (Denmark) - were all born on January 3, 1991.

The youngest player at the tournament is Ghana's Ellen Coleman (12 years 11 months) who was born on December 11, 1995. She will be eligible to play at this level again in 2010 and 2012." [+]