Fowler becomes the first player to win the award, which is voted on by PFA members, on three occasions. The Matildas and Manchester City star previously won the award in 2022 and 2024. 

Fowler scored 10 goals in all competitions for Manchester City and delivered eight assists during a standout season at club level, before the forward’s campaign was cut short after an ACL injury sustained in April. 

The 22-year-old also featured regularly for the Matildas during the 2024 Paris Olympics and She Believes Cup. 

Fowler received the most votes among six nominees for the award, including Alana Murphy (Melbourne Victory), Holly McNamara (Melbourne City), Isabel Gomez (Central Coast Mariners), Jessika Nash (Central Coast Mariners) and Jamilla Rankin (TSG Hoffenheim). 

“It means a lot for [the players] to be able to recognise the work that I’m doing and the work I’m putting into my football,” Fowler said. 

“Last year was challenging for me because we had so many more games and injuries in the team so in a way it pushed me to have an opportunity to step up. 

“As a whole, I’m really happy with the consistency I had with my performances. Every game, I really tried to put my all into it and have good energy for the team.” 

Fowler acknowledged her success on the field was due to her strong support network.  

“I’m someone that needs good balance on and off the field,” she said. 

“Off-the-field, I have really good people who I’m incredibly grateful to have in my life. 

“At work, in football, I have such a nice group of girls to work with and all the medical staff, the coaching staff, they have all really supported me and made it really easy for me to perform because I’m comfortable. 

“It’s definitely a team effort for me to be able to perform at the level I was at last season.” 

PFA Young Women Footballers of the Year – Winners: Mary Fowler (2025, 2024, 2022), Charlotte Grant (2023), Ellie Carpenter (2021, 2020), Karly Roestbakken (2019), Alex Chidiac (2018, 2017) 

Featured image: Imago/Sports Press Photo

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The announcement was made before a packed audience of current and former A-League players, coaches, sponsors, fans, and administrators, celebrating a line-up of players who represent ten years of excellence and influence in the domestic game.

Chosen exclusively by PFA members — past and present A-League Men players — the team was selected in a 4-3-3 formation, comprising a starting XI, seven substitutes, a coach, and a referee. 

To be eligible, players must have featured in at least two A-League Men’s seasons between 2015 and 2025.

PFA A-League Men Team of the Decade (2015 – 2025)

Starting XI

• Goalkeeper: Danny Vukovic
• Defenders: Scott Jamieson, Curtis Good, Alex Wilkinson (Captain), Rhyan Grant
• Midfielders: Luke Brattan, Diego Castro, Miloš Ninković
• Forwards: Craig Goodwin, Jamie Maclaren, Kosta Barbarouses

Substitutes

• Jamie Young (GK), Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Aziz Behich, Anthony Caceres, Isaías, Bruno Fornaroli, Besart Berisha
  

Coach: Steve Corica
Referee: Alex King

Former Sydney FC defender and past PFA President, Alex Wilkinson received the highest number of votes from his peers, earning the title of captain of the team.

“Being picked for the team of the decade is such an incredible honour,” Wilkinson said.

“To be recognised in this way is very special, not only because it’s voted on by fellow professionals, but because it reflects consistency over a long period of time.

“It’s incredible to be included alongside so many wonderful players, many of whom are among the best our league has ever seen.

“To also be named captain makes this recognition even more special, and it’s an honour I take a huge amount of pride in.”

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch said the team was a testament to the players’ impact on the competition.“This team reflects not only individual excellence but the collective contribution of players to building and shaping the A-League Men competition,” Busch said.

“Being selected by your peers is the highest form of recognition in our game, and this line-up represents the consistency, professionalism and quality that have driven the league forward over the past ten years.

“The PFA is proud to celebrate these players and the enormous role they have played in inspiring fans, setting standards, and creating lasting memories for Australian football.

“We owe it to these players to create a future for the A-League that builds on their incredible contributions and legacy.”

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The duo were considered by PFA members as the outstanding performers among a strong shortlist of candidates, which included the likes of Kyra Cooney-Cross, Charlotte Grant, Kaitlyn Torpey, Nestory Irankuda, Jordan Bos and Alessandro Circati. 

It is the second time Fowler has won the player-voted award, while Paulsen is the third New Zealand international to win the accolade, following in the footsteps of Marco Rojas and Liberato Cacace. 

The awards consider the performances of professionals playing in the A-Leagues, as well as Australian players plying their trade overseas between June 2023 and June 2024, who are under the age of 23 at the time. 

The PFA will reveal the 2024 Austraffic Men’s and Women’s Footballers of the Year next week. 

Austraffic PFA Young Women’s Footballer of the Year: Mary Fowler 

Fowler starred in the English Women’s Super League last season for Manchester City, with the attacking midfielder scoring four times and adding six assists as City secured second-place, behind champions Chelsea on goal difference. 

The 21-year-old also delivered strong performances on the international stage. Fowler was an integral figure in six of seven of the Matildas’ 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches and played a key role for the Matildas in the lead-up to, and at, the 2024 Paris Olympics.  The former Montpellier and Adelaide United player scored four goals in five appearances during Olympic qualifying. 

Fowler joins Alex Chidiac (2017, 2018) and Ellie Carpenter (2020, 2021) as players who have won the Young Women’s Footballer of the Year twice. Fowler last won the award in 2022.

“It means a lot to me,” Fowler said. “I think it’s one of the best awards I can receive because getting something from the players I play alongside, and play against, it means a lot to me to see that they think I’m doing well and give me that kind of recognition. I just feel super grateful for that.” 

Austraffic PFA Young Men’s Footballer of the Year (PFA Harry Kewell Medal): Alex Paulsen 

Paulsen has been awarded the PFA Harry Kewell Medal after a breakout season in the A-League Men with Wellington Phoenix.  

The 22-year-old secured the No.1 spot with Wellington during the 2023-24 pre-season, before helping Giancarlo Italiano’s side secure a finals berth with a string of incredible performances in goals. 

Paulsen claimed several accolades last season: he was named the A-League Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, the competition’s Fan Player of the Year and shared the A-League Men’s Young Footballer of the Year honours with Nestory Irankunda. 

Paulsen’s form throughout the campaign earned him a place in the 2023-24 PFA A-League Men Team of the Season. He was named captain of the player-voted team, having received the most votes from his peers. 

“I’m proud to receive such a prestigious award,” Paulsen said. “Only two Kiwis have won this award (previously) so to be up in that bracket is amazing and I’m really proud of receiving such an accolade. 

“It means more to be voted by my peers and my teammates. I feel very honoured to receive this award. Twelve months ago, I wasn’t really – with regards to Wellington Phoenix – in the picture to be considered the No.1, and to be given an opportunity by ‘Chiefy’ (Italiano) to be involved with the Wellington Phoenix and to be the No.1 was fantastic.” 

At the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Paulsen signed with English Premier League side Bournemouth, before returning to the A-League Men on loan with new expansion team Auckland FC. 

Paulsen becomes the third New Zealander to win the Young Men’s Footballer of the Year after fellow All-Whites Marco Rojas (2013) and Liberato Cacace (2020). Paulsen is also the third goalkeeper to be awarded the honour, following in the footsteps of Socceroos shot-stoppers Mat Ryan (2012, 2014, 2015) and Mitch Langerak (2010). 

Young Footballer of the Year honour roll

Young Women’s Footballer of the Year: Mary Fowler (2024, 2022), Charlotte Grant (2023), Ellie Carpenter (2021, 2020), Karly Roestbakken (2019), Alex Chidiac (2018, 2017) 

 Young Men’s Footballer of the Year (Harry Kewell Medal): Alex Paulsen (2024), Jordan Bos (2023), Denis Genreau (2022), Connor Metcalfe (2021), Liberato Cacace (2020), Chris Ikonomidis (2019), Daniel Arzani (2018), Alex Gersbach (2017), Jamie Maclaren (2016), Mat Ryan (2015, 2014, 2012), Marco Rojas (2013), Robbie Kruse (2011), Mitch Langerak (2010), Nikita Rukavytska (2009) 

About the Austraffic PFA Footballer of the Year Awards 

The Austraffic PFA Footballer of the Year Awards have been awarded annually since 2009, when former Socceroo Tim Cahill won the inaugural PFA Men’s Footballer of the Year. The PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year was introduced the following season, which was won by Servet Uzunlar in 2010.  

About Austraffic  

Founded in 1983 (as Australasian Traffic Surveys), Austraffic has undertaken thousands of traffic, transport and pedestrian studies in all states and territories of Australia and New Zealand. Austraffic’s systems and expertise delivers quality data that meets the customer’s needs. Their offices are located throughout Australia, and their traffic engineering and information technology specialists assist customers with the design, analysis and presentation of surveys. For more information visit austraffic.com.au    

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The PFA Kimon Taliadoros Scholarships are awarded to two players who demonstrate excellence in their development off the field, such as through education, business or community involvement. Each scholarship winner is awarded $2,500.

Last year’s winners were former Western United defender Ben Collins and Brisbane Roar’s Scott Neville.

The PFA Craig Foster Scholarships will be awarded annually to up to two current or former Footballers who have demonstrated a commitment to furthering the objectives of the PFA throughout their playing career and pursuing a post playing career in the following domains: 

• the media;
• social and / or community advocacy;
• social and / or community service; and human rights.

Each scholarship winner is awarded $2,500.

Last year, former Matilda and now, Network 10’s Grace Gill and Canberra United’s Emma Ilijoski were the winners of the Scholarship.

In addition to this, nominations for the 2024 PFA Beyond Bank Community Medal are also open. Further details on this are located below:

• The PFA Community Medal, first introduced in 2017, recognises the outstanding contribution PFA members are making within their communities and reflects the PFA’s commitment to ensuring football creates positive social impact.
• Beyond Bank will donate $2,500 to the charity nominated by the winner 

Matildas star Aivi Luik was the recipient of last year’s Community Medal.

Players can nominate themselves or their peers for the award, and can vote via the links sent to their email. Voting closes on May 28 at 5:00 PM (AEST).

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The award is the third major accolade Paulsen has received for his form in November, with the 21-year-old winning the Isuzu UTE A-League October/November Player of the Month award and a nomination for the Isuzu UTE A-League Young Footballer of the Year.

While the A-Leagues awards are voted by panellists, the Austraffic PFA Player of the Month award involves a monthly vote by PFA Members, with Paulsen receiving the highest number of player votes, ahead of November nominees Marcelo (Western Sydney Wanderers), Jay O’Shea (Brisbane Roar), Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Newcastle Jets) and Paulsen’s team-mate Finn Surman. 

Having emerged from Wellington Phoenix’s reserves team, Paulsen has grabbed the opportunity as first-choice ‘keeper following the departure of Oli Sail to Perth Glory. In November, Paulsen made 14 saves – including a match-winning penalty stop against Melbourne City – and secured one clean sheet in a month where the Phoenix secured two wins and a draw.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be playing for the Wellington Phoenix and to get an award for doing something I love is humbling.  

“A huge amount of credit should go to my fellow ‘Nix goalkeepers, coaches and team mates. As for the rest of the season, it’s my priority to turn up to every training session and game at 100 per cent.”

McNamara has now won back-to-back Austraffic Player of the Month awards, having secured the player vote in October for her dazzling early season form.

The Matildas forward scored six goals in just three matches in November, including a hat-trick in a thrilling 4-3 win over Western Sydney Wanderers and a brace in a 3-2 win against Newcastle Jets. Unfortunately after scoring her second goal and the eventual winner over the Jets, McNamara sustained a knee injury. A post-match scan confirmed a rupture of the anterior crucial ligament (ACL) in her right knee, ruling her out for the remainder of the 2023-24 Liberty A-League Women Season.

Commenting on winning back-to-back awards, McNamara said:

“Thank you to everyone who has voted for me for the Austraffic PFA Player of the Month. It’s a really big honour for me to be voted by my fellow players twice in a row and I’m very grateful. 

“Thank you to everyone at Melbourne City, my teammates and the staff, for helping me play with freedom and thank you to everyone for the support and kind messages after my injury. My rehab is going well and getting better each day.”

Through the PFA’s partnership with Park SCC, Paulsen and McNamara will receive a specially designed ball (pictured above), which aims to illustrate the different journeys a player takes both in life and on the pitch, and how the values of the PFA (Courage, Intelligence, Respect, Trust and World Class) guide them through those journeys. Both players will nominate a grassroots club or school who will be recipients of Park SCC footballs.

Austraffic PFA Player of the Month 2023-24

October: Holly McNamara, Bruno Fornaroli

November: Holly McNamara, Alex Paulsen

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Matildas Kerr and Charlotte Grant and Socceroos Craig Goodwin and Jordan Bos were revealed as the major winners of the PFA’s prestigious player-voted awards, the 2023 PFA Oakberry Players’ Awards in Sydney on Monday night.

The gala event, which celebrated the significant contribution of football’s established and emerging players, also recognised Matildas and Socceroos greats Melissa Barbieri and Mile Jedinak. 

The duo were officially unveiled at the event as Alex Tobin OAM Medallists – the PFA’s highest individual honour – for their contribution to the players and the game.

Matilda Aivi Luik rounded out the major winners, with the Australian midfielder presented with the PFA Beyond Bank Community Medal for raising over $40,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation.

PFA Austraffic Women’s Footballer of the Year: Sam Kerr

The Matildas captain recorded another incredible campaign for club and country across the 2022/23 season, culminating in a sixth PFA Austraffic Women’s Footballer of the Year award, as voted by her peers.

With Chelsea, Kerr’s performances and goals helped to steer the London club to a fourth consecutive FA Women’s Super League and Women’s FA Cup, a UEFA Women’s Champions League Semi-Final and a Women’s League Cup Final. 

Kerr capped an incredible year with a suite of accolades, including winning the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Women’s Footballer of the Year award. In doing so, Kerr became the only female to win the award consecutively. Kerr was also named Chelsea’s Player of the Year in a season where she scored 29 goals for The Blues in all competitions.

For the Matildas, Kerr helped to steer Australia to a Cup of Nations in February, with wins over Spain, Jamaica and Czech Republic, and played roles in crucial 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup warm-up matches against the likes of England, Denmark and Sweden.

Kerr previously won the PFA Austraffic Women’s Footballer of the Year award in 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2013.

Kerr said: “To receive the recognition of your peers, who know the sacrifices and challenges you face, is a huge honour. I’m incredibly fortunate to be part of two great teams and I am so grateful to all of the players I get to take the pitch with.” 

PFA Austraffic Men’s Footballer of the Year: Craig Goodwin

After earning the vote of the A-Leagues panel of experts to win the Jonny Warren Medal after an incredible 2022/23 season with Adelaide United, Socceroos star Craig Goodwin also earned the vote of his peers to win the PFA Austraffic Men’s Footballer of the Year.

Goodwin excelled in the A-League Men competition last season, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists in 25 regular season matches, before scoring three more times in the finals series.

His form for Adelaide earned him a call up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he opened the Socceroos’ campaign with an early goal against France, before netting a deflected effort against eventual winners Argentina in the Round of 16.

Goodwin said: “To be voted by the players as the PFA Men’s Footballer of the Year is a great honour and tops off what has been a brilliant 12 months for me personally. For the Socceroos and at Adelaide I get to step onto the pitch with great players and this award is only possible because of their efforts.” 

PFA Austraffic Young Women’s Footballer of the Year: Charlotte Grant

One of the Matildas’ most exciting talents, Charlotte Grant, was awarded the PFA Austraffic Young Women’s Footballer of the Year, after a season where the 21-year-old defender developed into a crucial member of the national team.

The young Vittsjö GIK defender from Adelaide has enjoyed a remarkable rise to prominence in women’s football and is now a valuable member of Tony Gustavasson’s squad ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday.

Grant said: “To win an award that has been won by the likes of Mary, Alex and Ellie means so much.  It has been a very special twelve months and to receive this recognition on the eve of the World Cup means so much.” 

PFA Austraffic Harry Kewell Medal: Jordan Bos

Bos joins the likes of Socceroos captain Mat Ryan, Jamie Maclaren and Robbie Kruse in being awarded the PFA Austraffic Harry Kewell Medal, following a standout campaign with Melbourne City.

Having been named as captain in the PFA A-League Men Team of the Season, Bos also earned his first national team call-up, making his debut against Ecuador.  

His phenomenal 2022/23 did not go unnoticed by clubs abroad either, with Bos securing a move to Belgian club KVC Westerlo, breaking the Australian transfer record for a club selling directly overseas.

Bos said: “This caps a really special season for me. Harry is the player that inspired so many Australians and to join the likes of Mat, Robbie and Connor as the winner of the Harry Kewell Medal is a huge honour.”

2023 PFA Oakberry Players’ Awards Summary

PFA Alex Tobin Medal:                                                   Melissa Barbieri, Mile Jedinak

PFA Austraffic Women’s Footballer of the Year:                        Sam Kerr

PFA Austraffic Men’s Footballer of the Year:                    Craig Goodwin

PFA Austraffic Young Women’s Footballer of the Year:             Charlotte Grant

PFA Austraffic Harry Kewell Medal:                                 Jordan Bos

PFA Beyond Bank Community Medal:                             Aivi Luik

PFA Kimon Taliadoros Scholarship:                                Ben Collins and Scott Neville

PFA Craig Foster Scholarship:                                        Grace Gill and Emma Illajovski

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With the winner to be announced at the 2023 Oakberry PFA Players’ Awards in Sydney on Monday 17 July, the medal recognises the contribution of a PFA Member to the community through their commitment to a charitable cause.

First introduced in 2017, the Beyond Bank PFA Community Medal has previously been won by Nigel Boogaard, Robbie Cornthwaite, Luke Brattan and Rebekah Stott. The 2023 nominees, who were selected by their peers for the award, include six players from the Matildas, Socceroos and the A-Leagues:

• Hayley Raso: The Matildas and Real Madrid star works with HeartKids, a charity for children with congenital heart disease. Hayley has raised money for the charity through her book, Hayley’s Ribbon, with 50% of proceeds from book sales going to support children and their families. 

• Aivi Luik: After her brother Noa was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2022, Luik shaved her head and raised over $42,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation. The foundation will use the funds for further research into brain cancer.

• Corey Brown: The Brisbane Roar defender has been working with the ‘Coffee Brigade’ in Brisbane, personally providing people experiencing homelessness with coffee, breakfast and the toiletries they require.

• Jack Hingert: The long-serving Brisbane Roar defender has been an RSPCA Queensland ambassador, helping foster and rehome dogs across Queensland.

• Kyah Simon: appointed as an ambassador for sports anti-racism initiative Reflect Forward in November 2022, the Matildas forward has been the face of their advocacy and awareness campaign whilst supporting the development of resources that will be distributed to Australian schools.

• Jackson Irvine: the Socceroos midfielder used his platform as an international footballer to shine a light on Human Rights issues in Qatar and LGBTI+ rights in football in the lead up to the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup

PFA President Alex Wilkinson said the nominees illustrated the players’ long standing commitment to positively impact not just Australian football but the broader Australian community. 

“The nominees for the Beyond Bank PFA Community Medal demonstrate that our members are far more than just athletes, they are people who care deeply about giving back to others in their community.

“From the National Teams to our A-Leagues players, our members are at the forefront of using sport as a tool to positively impact the country, and each of these nominees is incredibly deserving of recognition.”

“As a customer-owned bank, supporting local communities and helping to make a positive difference is at the heart of everything we do,” said Kylie Daniels, Senior Community Development Manager at Beyond Bank.

 “When we heard about all of the brilliant work being done by all of the very deserving nominees, we were more than happy to provide our support for this award.”

About the Beyond Bank PFA Community Medal 

The Beyond Bank PFA Community Medal, first introduced in 2017, recognises the outstanding contribution PFA members are making within their communities and reflects the PFA’s commitment to ensuring football creates positive social impact. PFA Community Medal winners include Rebekah Stott (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre), Robbie Cornthwaite, (Beards of Hope), Nigel Boogaard (Hunter Life Education’s Ocsober campaign), and Luke Brattan (Leukaemia Foundation). Beyond Bank will donate $2,500 to the charity nominated by the winner of the 2023 PFA Beyond Bank Community Medal, which will be announced at the 2023 Okaberry PFA Players’ Awards on Monday 17 July in Sydney. 

About Beyond Bank
Beyond Bank is one of Australia’s largest customer-owned banks with branches and offices in New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, ACT and Victoria. They partner with more than 5000 community organisations around the nation to create and return value for customers and communities and, through this, change lives. Beyond Bank is a B Corp, a business that is certified as meeting high standards of social and environmental impact, ensuring their practices and outputs benefit all people, communities and our planet. To learn more, visit beyondbank.com.au  

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Jedinak, who recently joined Tottenham Hotspur in a coaching role alongside fellow Australian and former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou in the English Premier League, will accept the honour at the 2023 Oakberry PFA Players’ Awards on Monday 17 July 2023 in Sydney.

Jedinak reached the pinnacle of the global game, captaining Australia to an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup triumph in 2015, represented the Socceroos at three FIFA Men’s World Cups in 2010, 2014 and 2018, and played over 200 matches in the top two tiers of England.

In addition to his impact on the pitch, Jedinak was instrumental in advancing the interests of players throughout his career, first through the PFA’s Socceroos Delegate Committee, before being voted to the PFA Executive Committee in 2014 where he played a key role on behalf of Australia’s professional footballers for six years. 

Jedinak was central to the 2019 National Teams Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which delivered gender equal conditions and pay for the Socceroos and Matildas. The 38-year-old joins Melissa Barbieri as the second recipient of the award at the 2023 event. 

“I am grateful and extremely honoured to receive such an acknowledgment and accolade from the football community of Australia,” Jedinak said.

“I’ve always endeavoured to represent my country and family with everything I have and hope to continue to inspire people to chase their dreams. I believe for me the main achievement was being a part of the PFA and representing the players at key stages when key decisions needed to be made. Doing this as a Socceroos captain, I always felt a responsibility.”

The PFA Alex Tobin OAM Medal is the PFA’s highest individual honour. It is awarded by the PFA Executive to current or former players who demonstrate the four attributes symbolised by former Socceroo and PFA President Alex Tobin during his career: leadership, achievement as a player, commitment to fellow professionals, and service and dedication to the game.

Jedinak joins Joe Marston, Johnny Warren, Craig Johnston, Mark Viduka, Frank Farina, Mark Schwarzer, Harry Kewell, Cheryl Salisbury, Paul Okon and Barbieri as an Alex Tobin OAM Medal recipient.

PFA Co-Chief Executive Beau Bush said that Jedinak’s legacy was visible within the success of the contemporary Socceroos and Matildas, for which Jedinak laid the foundations on and off the pitch.

“Mile is a figure who fought with his heart on his sleeve when playing for his country and his teammates on the pitch, but also for advancing the rights and conditions of the Socceroos, Matildas and all footballers.

“During his time with the PFA and in his position on the Executive, he helped to drive outcomes for the National Teams that we see today: gender equality for our men’s and women’s teams, high-performance working conditions and investment in our youth programs.

“Similarly, to when he pulled on the Australian jersey, Mile was disciplined, passionate and incredibly effective in the arena of player representation. He is a deserving recipient of the PFA’s highest honour.”

The midfielder commenced his career with Sydney United and Central Coast Mariners before securing an overseas move to Turkish club Gençlerbirliği. 

He later joined English clubs Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, amassing over 200 appearances, and leading both clubs to promotion to the English Premier League.  Jedinak retired from the Socceroos in 2018 after 79 appearances, before retiring from professional football in 2020.

The Alex Tobin OAM Medal will be awarded alongside the 2023 Oakberry Players’ Awards including the Austraffic Footballer of the Year awards and the Beyond Bank Community Medal in Sydney on Monday 17 July 2023. 

The 2023 Oakberry PFA Players’ Awards will also commemorate 30 years of the PFA, with the organisation celebrating three decades of supporting the players and building the game in 2023.

Tickets for the 2023 Oakberry PFA Players’ Awards are on sale now with all proceeds donated to the Footballers’ Trust.

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Barbieri, who captained Australia to the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, represented the Matildas at four FIFA World Cups and the 2004 Athens Olympics, will be honoured with the PFA’s Alex Tobin OAM Medal at the 2023 Oakberry Players’ Awards on Monday 17 July 2023. 

The Alex Tobin OAM Medal is the PFA’s highest individual honour. It is awarded by the PFA Executive to current or former players who demonstrate the four attributes symbolised by former Socceroo and PFA President Alex Tobin during his career: leadership, achievement as a player, commitment to fellow professionals, and service and dedication to the game. 

Barbieri joins giants of Australian football in Joe Marston, Johnny Warren, Craig Johnston, Mark Viduka, Frank Farina, Mark Schwarzer, Harry Kewell, Cheryl Salisbury and Paulo Okon as an Alex Tobin OAM Medal recipient. The 43-year-old is the second female to have won the award. 

Barbieri said she was thrilled to receive the esteemed accolade on the eve of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

“The Tobin Medal is probably the single most prestigious honour I’ve ever received,” Barbieri said. “I’m truly humbled. Being alongside some of the greats of our game in this country, let alone being alongside Cheryl, my former captain, it’s such a blessing. 

“I feel like when I look back, a lot of my heroes have won the award. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself when you are included in the same category as those players.”

PFA Co-Chief Executive Kathryn Gill said Barbieri was an extremely deserving recipient for her tireless efforts over two and a half decades advancing standards and conditions for female footballers. 

“‘Bubs’ has been a household name in Australian football and her achievements on the pitch make her one of Australia’s finest ever players. But her impact has been much more than that. Bubs provided her voice, and elevated the voice of many others, to major areas of progress for women’s footballers in the A-League and the Matildas. She has an unmatched ambition and drive to improve the game and leave it in a better place for the next generation. Bubs stands among the greats of the game and is a deserving recipient of the PFA’s highest honour.” 

Barbieri was central to the industrial action the Matildas took in 2015 and was a living example of the need for a world-class maternity policy when she balanced motherhood with elite football following the birth of her daughter Holly in 2013. 

“I joined the PFA when the Matildas joined as a group [in 2007] and we went from having nothing, to being able to fight for our rights and being able to leave the game better than we found it,” Barbieri said. “A lot of the players who started that quest through the PFA at that time, knew they didn’t have long left in the game, so they were setting it up for generations to come. 

“I’ve probably been known as a disruptor for a lot of my career. I’ve lost a lot of contracts for my tenacity in striving for the women’s game and making it on par with the men’s. 

“The game has come a long way. I had to make some huge sacrifices when I had my daughter, Holly. To see today we’re moving toward a full home and away season [in the A-League Women] and we’ve got much better pay. Players can now choose their future.”

The Alex Tobin OAM Medal will be awarded alongside the 2023 Oakberry Players’ Awards including the Austraffic Footballer of the Year awards and the Beyond Bank Community Medal in Sydney on Monday 17 July 2023. A second recipient of the medal will be unveiled prior to the event. 

The 2023 Oakberry Players’ Awards will also commemorate 30 years of the PFA, with the organisation celebrating three decades of supporting the players and building the game in 2023. 

Tickets for the 2023 Oakberry Players’ Awards are on sale now with all proceeds donated to the Footballers’ Trust. 

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