Catley wins back-to-back Austraffic PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year

Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) is proud to announce Steph Catley as the recipient of the Austraffic PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year for a second consecutive season. 

The award, which is voted by PFA members and supported by PFA Players’ Awards partner Austraffic, follows a brilliant 2024-25 campaign from the Arsenal and Matildas defender. 

Catley received the most votes ahead from her peers ahead of fellow nominees Caitlin Foord (Arsenal),  Ellie Carpenter (OL Lyonnes), Alex Chidiac (Melbourne Victory) and Tameka Yallop (Brisbane Roar). Fowler was this week unveiled as the winner of the Austraffic PFA Young Women’s Footballer of the Year. 

This is the third time Catley has been voted by her peers as the Women’s Footballer of the Year, after being named the recipient in 2020 prior to her back-to-back wins in the last two seasons. 

Catley starred for the Gunners last season, playing as both a left-back and centre-back en route to Arsenal winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League in May. 

The 31-year-old featured 32 times for the Gunners in all competitions and continued her strong performances for the Matildas where she continued to be a constant presence for the national team. 

This included Catley featuring in all three of Australia’s matches at the Paris Olympics, headlined by a brace and two assists in a dramatic 6-5 victory over Zambia. 

Her performances throughout the 2024-25 campaign also earned Catley a first-ever Ballon d’Or nomination, where she placed 29^th overall. 

“Winning the PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year is an incredible honour, and one that is very special, particularly because it’s voted on your fellow peers,” Catley said. 

“Last season was really amazing, and lifting the Champions League trophy with Arsenal was a dream come true. 

“Continuing to represent the Matildas is something I will never take for granted, and I’m excited about what is ahead, especially the Women’s Asian Cup next year. 

“That tournament is an exciting opportunity for us to achieve something together.”

PFA Women Footballers of the Year – Winners: Steph Catley (2025, 2024, 2020), Sam Kerr (2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2013), Ellie Carpenter (2021), Lydia Williams (2016, 2012), Elise Kellond-Knight (2015, 2011), Katrina Gorry (2014), Servet Uzunlar (2010)