Matildas legend and member of the PFA Executive Elise Kellond-Knight has announced her retirement from professional football after more than 16 years at the top level.
Kellond-Knight made more than 100 A-League Women appearances for the likes of Brisbane Roar, Melbourne City and most recently, Melbourne Victory, to go with 115 caps for the Matildas.
The midfielder went to three FIFA Women’s World Cups with Australia, featured at two Summer Olympic Games, and starred en route to the Matildas winning the 2010 AFC Asian Cup.
Her performances at club-level saw her recognised by the PFA as the Women’s Footballer of the Year in both 2011 and 2015, with the first of chose coming in the same season she secured a second A-League Women’s Championship with the Roar, two years after they won the double.
Off the field, Kellond-Knight has served as part of the PFA Executive since 2018, playing a key role in a number of Collective Bargaining Agreements.
“And just like that… time is up,” said the Matildas legend in a statement released on her Instagram page.
“I’ve decided to call an end to my professional football career so I can focus on and develop other areas of my life.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey and I’m so grateful for all the wonderful people I’ve met along the way. My fondest career memories are off the pitch, especially from the travels and adventures taken.
“Without a doubt my biggest achievement has been to help progress the women’s game to a new level of professionalism and I take immense pride in knowing that I will leave the game in a better place than when I joined.
“Young girls now dream of becoming Matildas, and for that reason I know these years have been well spent. Thank you football, for the gift you gave me.”
Kellond-Knight will continue her career playing semi-professionally with Avondale FC in 2025, who will feature in the Victorian Premier League Women’s after their promotion this year.
