Dower named Junior Matildas coach

Rae Dower has been handed her first national coaching gig, appointed as the new Junior Matildas boss.

Dower left her post at Canberra United early this year after the team's extra-time W-League semi-final loss to Melbourne City.

Her departure freed up one of Australia's most experienced female mentors to guide the Junior Matildas in their campaign to qualify for the 2018 Women's Under-17 World Cup in Uruguay.

"My experience developing elite female footballers over the past 15 years has provided me with the necessary skills for this next stage in my coaching career," Dower said.

Dower replaces Ante Juric, who has taken over Sydney FC's W-League side.