KEY POINTS:
Have boots, and maybe gloves, will travel, could well be the catch-cry for aspiring New Zealand sportswomen.
While netball and other sports have long been a favourite for young New Zealand women, soccer is pushing to become their sporting choice.
And, for those who have ever hankered to pull on the gloves and give goalkeeping a shot, the time has never been better.
As women's football worldwide expands under Fifa's determination to provide a truly global game, so do the opportunities.
Given their standing as top dog in the Oceania Confederation, New Zealand Football have, while not an open ticket, a better-than-average chance of playing at all Fifa tournaments outside the men's World Cup.
NZF have geared much of their planning to giving age group teams every encouragement and, within budget constraints, the best available preparation.
But, winning through to Fifa tournaments is one thing, achieving commendable results on the big stage another.
Which brings back the earlier suggestion that soccer, with two-yearly championships at under-17 and under-20 level and the four-yearly Olympic/World Cup cycle, is an attractive option for New Zealand girls/women.
The goalkeeping issue has arisen as coach John Herdman prepares to take his team to next month's Fifa Under-20 Women's World Cup in Chile.
In naming his squad, Herdman included Charlotte Wood and Victoria Esson, from the under-17 squad, as two of his three goalkeepers - his hand forced by the lack of depth in the position.
The keepers will not be alone in making the hurried trip to South America as seven of their under-17 team-mates have also been named to play.
With the next under-20 tournament two years away, all nine will be eligible for a second World Cup at that level.
Since July last year New Zealand teams have played in the men's Under-20 World Cup in Canada, the men's Under-17 World Cup in South Korea, the Women's World Cup in China, the Club World Cup in Japan (Waitakere United), and the men's and women's Olympic tournaments in Beijing. They have also had the opportunities (unsuccessful) to play at Fifa's Futsal (indoor soccer) and Beach Soccer championships.
Already the All Whites have won through to next year's Confederation's Cup in South Africa (June 14-29). Later the under-20 and under-17 men's tournaments will be played in Egypt and Nigeria respectively.
The opportunities are huge.
They come at a cost but given the determination that Oceania should survive as a confederation - any suggestion New Zealand should follow Australia into Asia having been, thankfully, shelved - New Zealand Football are doing all in their powers to give our best their best.
For the 21 young women who are about to play in this inaugural under-17 World Cup, the world can open up for them.
They only need to look back nine years to the New Zealand men's team who kicked off their campaign at the same stadium to see where football can take them.
Of the team who played under Kevin Fallon, David Mulligan, Allan Pearce, Tony Lochhead, James Pritchett and Jeremy Christie have played for the All Whites.
These young women have the chance to follow them into their national side.
How many will take it?
