Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) unveiled the 2020 PFA Players’ Awards on Wednesday evening, celebrating the significant contribution of the game’s established and emerging players.
The 2020 PFA Players’ Awards were voted on by the PFA membership and considered the performances of PFA members during the 2019/20 season.
In the absence of a physical awards event, the PFA partnered with False Nine to engage local and global designers to produce illustrations of each of the winners, helping to celebrate the award winners and promote the game’s diverse football culture via digital platforms.
Following a historic campaign with Melbourne City FC, both Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter were recognised by their peers for their brilliant seasons in City blue and for the Westfield Matildas.
After captaining City to a record-breaking fourth W-League championship during an invincible season, Catley was named PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year for the first time in her illustrious career.
Leading by example, the attacking fullback played a crucial role throughout the 2019/20 campaign, including scoring the match winner in the Grand Final decider over Sydney FC.
Catley said: “It’s an absolutely incredible feeling and very unexpected, especially being nominated alongside Sam [Kerr] and Emily [Van Egmond] who have both had incredible seasons. It’s very humbling and there’s no better award then being recognised by your teammates; that definitely hits home and it’s a proud moment for me for sure.”
Furthermore, Ellie Carpenter was also recognised following a breakout first season at Melbourne City, crowned the PFA Women’s Young Footballer of the Year.
The right fullback was an important member of City’s premiership and championship-double winning squad and backed it up with a strong year in the Green and Gold before joining European powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais.
Carpenter said: “I’m so happy to win the PFA Young Women’s footballer of the year award. I have had such a great time playing football over the past 12 months and have been fortunate enough to be supported by my very talented teammates.”
Melbourne City FC would like to congratulate both Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter on their incredible achievements and also acknowledge both Mat Ryan (PFA Men’s Footballer of the Year) and Liberato Cacace (PFA Harry Kewell Medal) for their achievements.
