Following her first-ever call-up to the CommBank Matildas, Leticia McKenna is still coming to terms with the moment she’s worked her whole life for. Hear from the midfielder following her maiden call-up.
"I was just sitting on the couch with my housemate, Leah (Davidson), wasn't looking at my phone, then I just checked my emails and saw the heading was congratulations. And I was just shocked," McKenna said, recalling the moment she learned of her first call-up.
"I didn't know how to react, just so happy, a bit overwhelmed, had a few tears, then called my parents."
Sharing the moment with her parents back in Western Australia was, as the midfielder described it, "a mission" when she called her folks, her dad, who was in the backyard at the time, and her mum, who were excited.
"They were over the moon, just so happy and obviously so proud."
"Yeah, incredibly special, something like just reading that email, something I'll cherish for a long time, and probably hasn't soaked in completely just yet. I think maybe once I get over there, and like in that environment, it will really hit me,"
The midfielder made the sacrifice to keep following her dreams, moving from her home state, WA, to QLD to play for the Brisbane Roar at just 18 years old. Then, she made the move to Melbourne City, where she currently plays.
"To sacrifice a lot to move across the state multiple times, to come to (Melbourne) City and get this opportunity is massive."
As for what’s driven her rise this season, and thus attributed to her first-ever call-up, McKenna points to a key area of growth in her game.
"There are probably a few things, but the one that stands out for me would just be consistency. I think I've been more consistent this year, getting forward while also playing in a more defensive role here at City."
"Michael (Matricciani) has been a massive help. We had conversations at the start of the season about my goals and what I wanted to achieve, both personally and as a team. I think that’s all really contributed to the call-up."
Melbourne City has long been a production line for Australian talent, and McKenna is the latest to follow that pathway. With current teammate Holly McNamara in the squad for the FIFA Series, and Bryleeh Henry, Alexia Apostolakis and Leah Davidson all earning recent senior call-ups, the environment continues to drive players toward international selection.
"I think a few years ago, when all my closest friends were making the squads and getting their moments, you’re just over the moon for them. But at the same time, it made me hungrier and want to be a part of it even more."
McKenna has also leaned on the experience around her, turning to senior figures at Melbourne City for guidance ahead of her first international camp. Explaining that her club skipper and New Zealand international, Rebekah Stott, has provided her with some words of wisdom before she departs for Kenya.
"I've already asked Stotty for some advice, and her words were great. I've asked Holly a thousand questions; she's probably getting a bit over it, but she's been great, and all the girls have been so supportive. I couldn’t ask for better teammates."
"They said, be yourself. You've done the work, and just go there and be yourself and play how I've been doing and take a lot of confidence going in there."
McKenna has also played a key role in Melbourne City’s sustained dominance in the A-League Women's, helping the club secure a third premiership over the weekend.
"I’m pretty high on life at the minute with the premiers and everything. It’s a massive achievement to go three in a row with this squad. We’ve had a lot of changes and some great additions along the way. It’s definitely something I’ll look back on in a few years and just say, ‘wow.’"
WOMEN’S FIFA SERIES 2026- KENYA
Match One:
Kenya v India
Date: Saturday 11 April 2026/Sunday 12 April 2026 AEST
Kick-off: 6.00pm local/1.00am AEST
Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
Match Two:
CommBank Matildas v Malawi
Date: Saturday 11 April 2026
Kick-off: 2.00pm local/9.00pm AEST
Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
TV Broadcast: Paramount+
Match Three:
Runner-up Match One v Runner-up Match Two
Date: Wednesday 15 April 2026
Kick-off: 2.00pm local/9.00pm AEST
Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
Match Four:
Winner Match One vs Winner Match Two
Date: Wednesday 15 April 2026/Thursday 16 April 2026 AEST
Kick-off: 6.00pm local/1.00am AEST
Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
TV Broadcast: All CommBank Matildas matches will be broadcast exclusively on Paramount+