Australian soccer playerFor the Australian Paralympic athlete, see Sarah Walsh (athlete). For the ESPN sportscaster, see Sara Walsh.

Sarah Ann Walsh (born 11 January 1983) is a retired Australian soccer player who most recently captained Western Sydney Wanderers FC in Australia's W-League. She is a former member of the Australia women's national soccer team, the Matildas. As of 2021 she is Football Australia's Head of Women's Football, Women's World Cup Legacy & Inclusion, and in November 2021 she was appointed as co-chair of the inaugural National Indigenous Advisory Group of Football Australia.

Contents

• 1 Early life
• 2 Playing career
  • 2.1 Club
    • 2.1.1 Women's Professional Soccer, 2009
    • 2.1.2 Western Sydney Wanderers FC, 2012–13
  • 2.2 International
• 3 Sports administration and other roles
• 4 Personal life
• 5 In popular culture
• 6 Career statistics
  • 6.1 International goals
• 7 Honours
  • 7.1 Club
  • 7.2 International
• 8 References
• 9 External links

Early life

Walsh was born in Camden, New South Wales.

Playing career

Walsh playing for Australia Sarah Walsh after a drinks break

Club

Women's Professional Soccer, 2009

Walsh 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. She had played in 5 games, 4 of them being starts (351 minutes) before being traded. She also added a goal and an *ist for Sky Blue FC.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, 2012–13

In October 2012 it was announced that Walsh had signed for Western Sydney Wanderers FC in the Westfield W-League in Australia for the 2012-13 season. She was promptly elected Captain by the team members.

International

Walsh represented Australia at the 2004 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 subs*uted out in the 54th minute.

Sports administration and other roles

Walsh is a representative of the Professional Footballers *ociation'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.

As of 2021 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.

Personal life

Walsh 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.

In popular culture

In 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.

Career statistics

International goals

Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first.

Honours

Club

Sydney FC:

• W-League Premiership: 2009
• W-League Championship: 2009

International

Australia

• AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2010

References

External links

• Sarah Walsh – FIFA compe*ion record (archived)
• Australia Football player profile
• Sydney FC player profile
• Saint Louis Athletica player profile
• Ins*ute of Sport player profile