Captain of the Australian women's soccer team in 1998-99, Gegenhuber is Bendigo this week playing a key off-pitch role for Queensland's girls team.

As matches were being played on nearby pitches at Epsom-Huntly Reserve, the former Australian defender said the standard of play was exceptional.

Gegenhuber was coach of Queensland's girls team at the 12-under titles in 2009 and '10 and is in her second year as manager.

"The first-touch, pace and workrate of the girls and boys in the matches I have watched the past two days is incredible.

"In many ways the 12-under championships are the first step on the pathway toward more state teams, W-League, A-League, and possibly the Matildas or Socceroos.

"The opportunities available these days are incredible."

Gegenhuber went on to play more than 60 matches for Australia and says the game just keeps growing in popularity.

Football, or soccer, was not Gegenhuber's first choice as sport.

"When I was younger I tried a lot of sports," she said of competing in tennis, netball, athletics and eventually football.

"I have three brothers so matches in the backyard were always keenly contested."

Gegenhuber started playing football when she was 10 and by 18 was in the Australian team.

"When I was 12 I said I wanted to represent Australia.

"I had no idea what sport it would be, it was just something I was determined to achieve."

Throughout this week the football star is playing a key role in helping the future generation of Matildas and Socceroos.

"The quality of the matches I have watched in Bendigo is incredible and there's two more days to go," she said of the on-field action at a venue she called superb, although a little windy.