The teenager from Tikokino moved to Northcote College, Auckland, in January to complete Year 13.
A fellow Northcote pupil billets Morton, who plays for Norwest United with coach Chris Accott at the helm.
"It's a small club but a lot of fun," she says while visiting her family and friends in the Bay over Labour weekend before returning to the Big Smoke on Tuesday to put school on the backburner for full-time camp training.
Having a few other Central Football players at Norwest United was the difference in not joining another club.
Morton received confirmation of her selection on October 11 much to her relief and excitement.
"The hard work starts now," she says, of a training routine four times a week at night and gym sessions early in the mornings.
The intensity at training has gone up a few notches with 21 women now gunning for a starting XI position.
If the Kiwis had ticked the box against Ghana as the team to beat in their pool they will be rethinking that exercise because the Africans defeated America at the recent Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Jordan.
"Each game is so tough we'll have to fight hard for it," says Morton who was part of the 2014 NZ Under-17 team who drew with Paraguay and lost to Spain and Japan in Costa Rica.
She has no doubts that having Birnie as coach over the years at Maycenvale Misfits in Hastings has moulded her template.
"I trust his feedback and he knows me as a player.
"Leon's support over the years has been great and he's definitely made me into the player I am today so that's really nice for a girl from Hawke's Bay."
She also endorses the input of Thirsty Whale Hawke's Bay United coach Brett Angell, who was a Central Football age-group mentor several years ago.
Morton's confidence has grown immensely on the ball and she has a better grasp of the game since moving to Auckland to train with pedigree players and working under quality coaches.
It's not easy as a youngster to leave home but she says it's inevitable for anyone wanting to progress from the provincial areas.
"I guess it's the harsh reality because you have a lot of support in Auckland and national coaches so it's hard to remain in the regions and expect the same level of training."
After the World Cup she has to make another big decision - stay in Auckland or put her feelers out overseas to improve her chances of realising her dream to become a Football Fern.
"It's always been a dream to play for my country at the highest level," says Morton who is working with Birnie, of Napier, in what her options are if she were to ply her trade abroad.
The idea of an American university scholarship appeals to her, considering her elder brother, Harry, is doing the same at Harewood College in New York State.
"Free tertiary education won't be bad but I'm looking for a university that has a high standard of football and is academically good," she says, emphasising the shift to Auckland prepared her well for going abroad.
The prospect of one day playing alongside her younger, equally talented 16-year-old sister, Rose, also appeals to her.
"It'll be quite funny. I'll have to show her who's the boss.
"Rose isn't fully back from Jordan yet," she says with a laugh of the under-17 holding midfielder who "disappointingly" didn't get on the field for a side that returned with just a win over the hosts in pool play.
"She's very excited and loved the under-17 experience."
The PNG squad includes three U17 cup reps in
Hannah Blake, Grace Jale and Nadia Olla who Birnie sees as challenging his U20 players.
Senior internationals Meikayla Moore, Jasmine Pereira, Daisy Cleverely and Paige Satchell have Rio Olympics experience.
"They're really important and have led from the front all the way through. Meokayla and Jas have been in our senior leadership group, on and off the pitch," he says of the Football Ferns trio.
While getting out of their pool is the goal, Birnie says developing players also is high on the agenda.
