1. Ambition
2. Animals
3. Helpfulness
4. Kindness
5. Loneliness
6. Self-confidence
7. Sports
8. Sportspersons

When Lydia moved to the city, she missed her animal friends terribly. Lydia loved animals and she visited the zoo to cheer herself up. There she met new and different animals, ones that were loud or scary or very unfriendly or so fast she couldn’t keep up.

The lightning-fast gibbon stole her football then stopped and invited her to play. Soon other animals joined in and Lydia found her football skills were not good enough. As she sadly walked away Lydia met a penguin. Penguin told her learn from your friends and you might be surprised. He dazzled Lydia with his own special ball skills. Lydia returned to her new animal friends and studied their skills. Each had their own special skill and used it to contribute to the whole team effort. Lydia began to play with her new friends regularly. She practised and practised till she could save nearly every goal.

Lydia Williams is a Noongar woman who grew up in Western Australia. When her family moved to Canberra in 1999, she started playing soccer and her skills were quickly noted. Lydia is a member of Australia’s women’s soccer team, the Matildas, and has played in many international games and with a number of overseas clubs. In 2024 she represents Australia as a Matilda at the Paris Olympics.

‘Goal!!!’ is Lydia’s second book based on her life and passion for soccer. The first ‘Saved!!!’ can be found in this database. Both books were illustrated by Melbourne based artist, Lucinda Gifford.

1. SBS/NITV 1 June 2021. ‘Goal!!!’: ‘Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams writes sequel to children’s book based on her life.’ https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/goal-matildas-goalkeeper-lydia-williams-writes-sequel-to-childrens-book-based-on-her-life/7453hgty6
2. Reading Time 16 August 2021. Belinda Raposo reviews ‘Goal!!!’ by Lydia Williams and Lucinda Gifford. https://readingtime.com.au/goal/
3. Poetry Box. A NZ poetry page for children. A review of ‘Saved!!!’ and ‘Goal!!!’ by Lydia Williams and Lucinda Gifford. https://nzpoetrybox.wordpress.com/2023/07/20/poetry-box-reviews-goal-and-saved-by-lydia-williams-and-lucinda-gifford/
4. Living Arts Canberra 1 June 2021. Review of ‘Goal!!!’ by Lydia Williams and Lucinda Gifford. https://www.livingartscanberra.com.au/lydia-williams-and-lucinda-gifford-goal/
5. SBS/NITV Living Black 22 April 2024. Article by Rachel Knowles. ‘Lydia grew up playing AFL in the desert. Now the Matilda is inspiring the next generation of soccer players.’ https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/living-black/article/lydia-grew-up-playing-afl-barefoot-in-the-desert-now-the-matilda-is-hoping-her-career-can-inspire-the-next-generation-of-aboriginal-girls/wj282ruoj
6. ABC News 11 July 2023. ‘From outback deserts to World Cup dreams – Lydia Williams’ incredible journey in women’s football,’ by Samantha Lewis. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-11/outback-desert-world-cup-dreams-legacy-lydia-williams/102569028
7. Lucinda Gifford website. https://www.lucindagiffordbooks.com/