Kyah Simon facts for kids
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Simon playing at the 2017 Algarve Cup
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kyah Pam Simon | ||
| Date of birth | 25 June 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Blacktown, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
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Current team
|
Sydney FC | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008–2009 | Central Coast Mariners | 9 | (5) |
| 2009–2013 | Sydney FC | 41 | (23) |
| 2012–2013 | Boston Breakers | 30 | (16) |
| 2013–2014 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 0 | (0) |
| 2014–2017 | Sydney FC | 27 | (12) |
| 2015–2016 | Boston Breakers | 23 | (3) |
| 2017–2020 | Melbourne City | 31 | (10) |
| 2018–2019 | Houston Dash | 25 | (4) |
| 2020–2021 | PSV | 7 | (2) |
| 2021–2023 | Tottenham Hotspur | 14 | (3) |
| 2023–2024 | Central Coast Mariners | 12 | (3) |
| 2024– | Sydney FC | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2008–2009 | Australia U-20 | 15 | (10) |
| 2007– | Australia | 111 | (29) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 May 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 April 2022 |
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Kyah Pam Simon (born June 25, 1991) is an Australian professional soccer player. She plays as a striker for Sydney FC in the A-League Women. In 2011, Kyah made history. She became the first Indigenous Australian player to score a goal in a FIFA Women's World Cup.
Kyah has played for many teams in Australia. These include Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners, Western Sydney Wanderers, and Melbourne City. She also played in the United States. There, she joined Boston Breakers and Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Contents
Early Life and Soccer Journey
Kyah Pam Simon was born on June 25, 1991, in Blacktown, Australia. She is one of four children. Her family moved to Quakers Hill when she was one. Kyah is of Aboriginal Australian descent. Her mother, Pam, is from the Anaiwan people. Her father, Gordon, is from the Biripi and Kamilaroi peoples.
Kyah's family loved rugby league. But her neighbors introduced her to soccer. She started playing for the Quakers Hill under-8s team. She quickly fell in love with the game. As a young player, she played for the Hills Brumbies. Later, she moved to Penrith Nepean United. At age 15, she broke her leg. This happened just before she could get a scholarship. But it did not stop her dream. She made her national debut for the Australia women's national soccer team at age 16.
Club Career Highlights
Kyah Simon has played for many clubs. She has shown her skills in Australia and the United States.
Starting with the Mariners
Kyah began her professional career with the Central Coast Mariners. Her first game was on October 25, 2008. She scored her first goals in her third game. She scored two goals to help the Mariners win 2–1.
Success with Sydney FC
Simon joined Sydney FC for the 2009 season. She quickly became a key player. In the 2010–11 W-League season, she was the top scorer. She scored 11 goals in 12 games. She also won Player of the Year. She was named Young Player of the Year and Players Player of the Year. She helped Sydney FC win the W-League Championship in 2009 and 2012–13. They also won the Premiership in 2009 and 2010–11.
Playing in the USA
In 2012, Kyah signed with the Boston Breakers in the United States. She was their top scorer with 12 goals. She ranked second in the league for goals. In 2013, she joined the Breakers again for the first season of the National Women's Soccer League. After the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, she returned to the Boston Breakers.
Later, in 2018, Kyah joined the Houston Dash. She made her debut for the Dash in April. She scored her first goal for them in May.
Returning to Australian Clubs
After her time in the US, Kyah returned to Australia. She played for Western Sydney Wanderers in 2013. After an injury, she returned to Sydney FC in 2014. In 2017, she joined Melbourne City. She helped them win the W-League Championship in 2017–18.
In October 2023, Kyah re-signed with Central Coast Mariners. She made her first appearance in January 2024. This was her first game in 480 days after a long injury. In September 2024, she returned to Sydney FC.
International Career for Australia
Kyah Simon made her debut for the Matildas in August 2007. She was only 16 years old. She scored her first goal in 2008 against Brazil. In 2010, she scored the winning penalty. This helped Australia win the 2010 Asian Cup.
FIFA Women's World Cup Appearances
Kyah played in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. She scored both of Australia's goals in a 2–1 win against Norway. This win helped Australia reach the quarter-finals. She was the first Indigenous Australian player to score in a World Cup.
She also played in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. In the round of 16, she scored the winning goal against Brazil. This helped the Matildas reach a historic quarter-final. She played in all five of Australia's matches. She scored three goals, including two against Nigeria.
Olympic Games
During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Kyah reached a special milestone. She became the ninth Matilda to play 100 games. She was also the first Indigenous Australian player to do so. The Matildas reached the semi-finals in Tokyo.
Beyond the Field
Kyah Simon is very proud of her Aboriginal heritage. She has learned about the challenges her grandparents faced. This has made her appreciate her family even more. She says that when she wears the Matildas jersey, it is for her family. She feels the jersey belongs to them as much as it does to her.
Kyah believes social media helps change ideas about what it means to be Aboriginal. She helped the Matildas decide to display the Aboriginal flag in their team photo at the Tokyo Olympics. This was a unique Australian way to show support. She has also joined Football Australia's new group. This group helps connect soccer with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Honours and Awards
Kyah Simon has won many awards and championships throughout her career.
Sydney FC
Melbourne City
- W-League Championship: 2017–18
Australia National Team
- AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2010
- AFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 2016
Individual Awards
- Julie Dolan Medal: 2010–11 (Best Player)
- W-League Golden Boot: 2010–11 (Top Scorer)
- W-League Young Player of the Year: 2010–11
Images for kids
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Kyah Simon playing against Japan in Tokyo, June 2012
See also
In Spanish: Kyah Simon para niños
- List of A-League Women hat-tricks
- List of Indigenous Australian sportspeople
- List of Australian sportswomen
- List of Australia women's international soccer players
- List of association football families
