SIMON Kyah

General
INDIGENOUS HERITAGE
Her mother and father are both Indigenous Australians, and she says would like to use her position to inspire future generations of indigenous athletes in Australia. "Being one of the first indigenous female footballers out there is a privilege for me. I think it's about setting a new pathway for young indigenous females that they can choose football and there is an opportunity there. Growing up, [Indigenous Australian sprinter] Cathy Freeman was my idol. She embodied the strength of overcoming the struggles of our people who have faced racism and defied all odds. Now being in a similar position where I can be what Cathy was, to other young girls and just being a positive role model that all young girls can look at, indigenous or non-indigenous, is inspiring to me." (Optus Sport YouTube channel, 09 Apr 2019; domain.com.au, 12 Jul 2019; Instagram profile, 25 Sep 2020)

INJURY BATTLES
She has suffered numerous injuries since turning professional, including to her knee, ankle and shoulders. She was also forced to miss the 2019 World Cup in France due to injury. "I've missed a lot of football. I've been unable complete a full year without injury since 2012 [speaking in 2019], hit the lowest points of my life and at times been close to giving up. But my desire to be healthy and my determination to get back to the best version of myself on the pitch will never waiver. [Missing the 2019 World Cup] was shattering. To have pushed myself to the limits and done everything in my power to rehab from my ankle surgery in January, then to fall short and be re-injured was heart breaking for me, it knocked me around emotionally. I've had a few really tough moments and mostly during the times I've been injured. The amount of times I've considered retiring or giving up, I've lost count." (thewomensgame.com, 27 May 2019; pfa.net.au, 28 Aug 2019)

POSITIONS
She has played as both a forward and an attacking midfielder during her career, but ahead of the 2020/21 season she spoke about looking forward to playing as a striker for her club side PSV. "I'm actually playing up front here for PSV so that's been really nice and given me almost a new lease on playing again, and just feeling like an out and out striker again which I haven't had for a few years now. It's only been the last few years I would say that I've transitioned a little bit more into that [number] 10 role. I still don't have a preference, but I think deep down I enjoy being a striker. I think that's really where I belong only because I've played so many of my younger years in that position." (myfootball.com.au, 24 Aug 2020)

CLUB JOURNEY
She began her professional career at the Central Coast Mariners, making her debut in the 2008/09 W-League season, before she joined Sydney FC for the 2009/10 W-League season. In March 2012 she signed with Boston Breakers in the United States of America, but returned to Sydney FC in the National Women's Soccer League [NWSL] off-seasons from the 2014/15 W-League campaign. She joined Melbourne City ahead of the 2017/18 W-League season. After the Boston Breakers folded in February 2018, she was selected by the Houston Dash for the 2018 NWSL season with the sixth pick of the 2018 NWSL Dispersal Draft. In July 2020 she moved to Netherlands to join PSV in the Eredivisie. "Europe's always been on my football bucket list. I really enjoy the European style of play. I actually think it suits me as a player more. I definitely see myself for the rest of my career staying in Europe. I love the European culture as well and I'd love to call Europe home for the next little bit at least." (thewomensgame.com, 12 Oct 2018; myfootball.com.au, 24 Aug 2020; LinkedIn profile, 20 Mar 2021; matildas.com.au, 04 Jul 2020; houstondynamofc.com, 01 Nov 2019)

During the 2010/11 W-League season in Australia, she became the first player to receive the Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and Golden Boot awards all in the same season. (kyahsimon.com, 04 Jul 2020)