Sarah Ann Walsh (born 11 January 1983) is an Australian former soccer player who is Head of Women's Football at Football Australia. A forward, she played for the Australia women's national soccer team from 2004 to 2012.
 Walsh playing for Sydney FC in 2009 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sarah Ann Walsh[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 11 January 1983[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Camden, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2008 | NSW Institute of Sport | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008 | Pali Blues | 0 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | Sydney FC | 2 | (0) |
| 2009 | Sky Blue FC | 5 | (1) |
| 2009 | Saint Louis Athletica | 6 | (0) |
| 2009–2012 | Sydney FC | 21 | (9) |
| 2010 | Boston Breakers | ||
| 2012–2013 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 12 | (3) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2004–2012 | Australia | 70 | (31) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 October 2013 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 September 2012 | |||
Early life
editWalsh was born in Camden, New South Wales.[citation needed]
Playing career
editClub
editWomen's Professional Soccer, 2009
editWalsh was selected in the first round of the Women's Professional Soccer league's international draft in 2009 by Sky Blue FC. On 26 June 2009, Walsh was dealt to the Saint Louis Athletica.[2][3] She had played in 5 games, 4 of them being starts (351 minutes) before being traded. She also added a goal and an assist for Sky Blue FC.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC, 2012–13
edit
In October 2012, it was announced that Walsh had signed for Western Sydney Wanderers[4] in the Westfield W-League in Australia for the 2012–13 season. She was promptly elected captain by the team members.[5]
International
editWalsh represented Australia at the 2004 Summer Olympics, 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup and the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.
On 30 August 2012, Walsh announced her international retirement and stated that her last game would be an upcoming friendly match against the United States on 19 September 2012. After scoring a goal in the friendly, Walsh ended her international career when she was substituted out in the 54th minute.[6][7][8]
Sports administration and other roles
editWalsh is a representative of the Professional Footballers Association's Matildas Delegates' Committee, alongside Melissa Barbieri, Lauren Colthorpe, Heather Garriock and Kate McShea. On 20 January 2010, the Committee and Football Federation Australia announced a new pay deal for the Matildas to take them through to the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup football.[9]
As of 2021[update], she is Football Australia's Head of Women's Football, Women's World Cup Legacy & Inclusion. In November 2021, she was appointed as co-chair of the inaugural National Indigenous Advisory Group of Football Australia. The group aims at supporting and increasing Indigenous participation in the game.[10]
Personal life
editWalsh began dating American soccer player Megan Rapinoe in 2009 while they both played for the WPS. After approximately five years together, Rapinoe and Walsh ended their relationship in 2013.[11] She has since married a woman named Toni.[12]
In popular culture
editIn June 2011, Walsh was on the cover of the Australian FourFourTwo magazine, along with fellow Matildas Melissa Barbieri, Sam Kerr, Thea Slatyer and Kyah Simon.[13]
Career statistics
edit
International goals
editScores and results list Australia's goal tally first.
Honours
editClub
editInternational
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007 – List of Players: Australia" (PDF). FIFA. 15 September 2007. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Sky Blue FC Acquires Hermann Trophy Winner Hanks, Brazilian Internationals Francielle and Renata Costa". Sky Blue FC. 26 June 2009. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
- ^ "Athletica missing key players in televised game". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 18 July 2009. Retrieved 29 September 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Wanderers Women Revealed". The Women's Game. 4 October 2012. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ "Westfield W-League: Rnd 1 Squad Announced v Adelaide United". Football Federation Australia. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ "Sarah Walsh retires from international football Writer". Football Federation Australia. 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ Migliaccio, Val (20 September 2012). "Matilda waltzes away". The Advertiser. Adelaide. p. 89.
- ^ "Matildas downed in Walsh farewell". The Women's Game. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ "New Pay Deal Agreed For Matildas". FourFourTwo Australia. 20 January 2010. Archived from the original on 23 January 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ Rugari, Vince (8 November 2021). "'It's groundbreaking': Football is finally getting serious about Indigenous Australia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ Snarker, Dorothy (3 July 2012). "Megan Rapinoe comes out, officially, to OUT". After Ellen. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ^ Vinall, Marnie (21 July 2023). "There is a word this former Matilda's wife has banned her from using". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Kyah: Now I've Got Your Attention..." Four Four Two. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
External links
edit- Sarah Walsh – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Australia Football player profile
- Sydney FC player profile
- Saint Louis Athletica player profile
- Institute of Sport player profile