Sixteen-year-old Emma Meadows has only been playing in goal for two years, but has already represented New Zealand.

The Melville United and Hamilton Girls High School player was selected for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2025.

Growing up as an outfield player, she usually played up front - as a striker she was known for her ability to play with both feet.

When she was 14, playing at the Weir Rose Bowl tournament, coach Brooke Macdonald put her in goal and the rest, they say, is history. She immediately proved to be cat-like, impressing everyone with her reflexes and bravery. 

Melville Women's Coach Tarena Ranui says  "Emma has amazing reflexes, is very good with her angles, and has been prepared to learn the art of goalkeeping, making her very valued.

Emma's been one of our coaches at the Goalkeeper Development programme in Hamilton, and we sat down with her to talk goalkeeping and the experience of a World Cup.

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2025 - New Zealand's Squad, Emma in pink on right. Photo: Supplied.

What’s 2 or 3 things that you learned (about yourself, or about football, or about being a keeper) playing at the World Cup?

Going to a world cup forces you to learn so much. From experiences on the field to things as simple as the flight over. The biggest take away I have from the world cup is the exposure to so many different playstyles at the highest level. We played Japan, Zambia and Paraguay who all have very different playstyles and are all different to anything you’ll find in New Zealand. Something I learnt is how adaptable you have to be at that level, on and off the field. Whether it’s to the climate, the style of football or the people around you. So much changes when you go away on tour and it takes a lot of resilience to deal with everything. 

What’s the transition from striker to GK been like for you?

It was definitely challenging at first, I was training with players older and more experienced than me which made me feel like I was playing catch up all season. However the extra individualised attention I got from having a goalkeeper coach made a huge difference in the speed I was developing. One major thing I’ve noticed is my ability with the ball at my feet. Since I transitioned to goalkeeper later than most my footwork and kick have been a standout skill for me which has helped differentiate me from others and a part of how I got to where I am today.

How do you prepare mentally before matches?

I think mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation so I have quite a lot I do. Two of the main things I do are visualisation and journaling. Since implementing these I have seen clear improvement in my confidence leading to better performance. There is also something one of my coaches told me before the world cup ‘no matter what happens you will always have somewhere to come back to’. I remind myself of this before every game and it has completely changed the way I deal with high pressure situations. It has allowed me to play free without the fear of making mistakes which has made a huge difference in my game.

What are your personal goals over the next few years?

Over the next few years I hope to continue advancing through the New Zealand Football age group system and eventually make my way to The Ferns. I also want to attend university in the USA on a scholarship playing football and studying some form of health science or sports science.

What advice would you give to young players who might be reluctant to try goalkeeping?

There’s no harm in giving it a go for a season. That was my intention when I became a goalkeeper and look at where it has taken me now.

What is it like for you coaching - are there a few skills or ideas that you hope to pass on to young keepers?

Coaching is something I really enjoy, especially when I see players falling in love with the position and seeing them progress. The level of detail and understanding is what is most important for me. I don’t just want the players to know how to dive, I’d want them to know when to go with the top hand or the bottom hand, when to parry or catch and similar things. My level of understanding and how I wanted to study goalkeeping as an art rather than just another position is something that massively helped with my improvement and still gives me an edge over other players.

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2025 - New Zealand's Goalkeepers, Emma on left. Photo: Supplied. 

Goalkeeping Development Programme at WaiBOP Football

Earlier this year, WaiBOP Football launched a Goalkeeping Development Programme to support Goalkeeping Coaches and Goalkeepers across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. The programme is led by FIFA Goalkeeper instructor James Bannatyne, supported by WaiBOP Football Development Officer Akshaay Anath.

In Term 4, 2025, WaiBOP ran a GK Development course for Junior and Youth players, in Hamilton and Tauranga. Over 60 youth players from 8 to 15 years old had the opportunity to learn some of the specialised skills involved in being a keeper. 

The focus of the programme is to create a stronger Goalkeeping community across the region, supporting goalkeeping coaches within clubs. 

Special thanks to Aotearoa Gaming Trust for their support in our WaiBOP goalkeeping programme.

In Term 1 2026 the programme will run in Hamilton, Tauranga, Whakatane, Rotorua and Thames. 

You can sign up here

Article added: Monday 19 January 2026