After years schlepping our kids to junior football, suddenly we're at a World Cup in Morocco: A mum's beautiful Junior Matildas diary

We are well used to schlepping our daughter around the countryside to play football, involving parts of Melbourne we'd never even known existed. Parks beneath bridges, behind schools, pitches off freeway bypasses and beyond.

So Morocco isn't that much of a stretch. We were contemplating this last night, Kaya's folks and we, as we inched towards Rabat, where our teenage daughters will compete for Australia in the Under 17 Women's World Cup.

When locals ask us what brings us to Morocco, and we hear ourselves explain, we surprise even ourselves. This school side hustle as Junior Matildas, has become a very big deal.

It's the first time in the history of the tournament Australia has made the cut. PREVIEW:A generation making history: how our Junior Matildas feel All aboard with the Junior Matildas.

In fact, pretty much all the girls in the 23-woman squad will have at least one parent here, many two, and assorted friends and family are also along for the ride. It says something for our life in Australia that we can empty the piggy bank and get ourselves here.

We live in a precarious world. Grab the joy, if you can, while it's there in front of you.

So we clinked our glasses as we dined at Rick's Café, in Casablanca, an hour by train from the tournament. A dude wearing a white tuxedo tinkled the piano keys, replicating a soundtrack directly lifted from the Bogart Bergman classic, Casablanca.

Reflecting on the Price of Entry. Mike Cooper, in his last hurrah as coach of the Junior Matilda's, often speaks of the price of entry for the players.

What they must give of themselves to take part. You can meet Mike here in this Red Card for Mummy Podcast.