Kyah Simon
Australian footballer (born 1991)
title: "Kyah Simon" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1991-births", "living-people", "australian-women's-soccer-players", "indigenous-australian-soccer-players", "central-coast-mariners-fc-(women)-players", "2011-fifa-women's-world-cup-players", "2015-fifa-women's-world-cup-players", "footballers-at-the-2016-summer-olympics", "people-from-blacktown,-new-south-wales", "boston-breakers-players", "national-women's-soccer-league-players", "expatriate-women's-soccer-players-in-the-united-states", "sydney-fc-(women)-players", "melbourne-city-fc-(women)-players", "western-sydney-wanderers-fc-(women)-players", "women's-premier-soccer-league-elite-players", "australia-women's-international-soccer-players", "women's-association-football-forwards", "australian-expatriate-sportspeople-in-the-united-states", "indigenous-australian-olympians", "21st-century-indigenous-australian-people", "olympic-soccer-players-for-australia", "houston-dash-players", "footballers-at-the-2020-summer-olympics", "fifa-women's-century-club", "soccer-players-from-sydney", "sportswomen-from-new-south-wales", "australian-expatriate-sportspeople-in-england", "australian-expatriate-sportspeople-in-the-netherlands", "expatriate-women's-footballers-in-england", "expatriate-women's-footballers-in-the-netherlands", "women's-super-league-players", "tottenham-hotspur-f.c.-women-players", "psv-(women)-players", "australian-expatriate-women's-soccer-players", "2023-fifa-women's-world-cup-players", "australian-lgbtq-soccer-players", "21st-century-australian-sportswomen", "a-league-women-championship–winning-players", "a-league-women-all-stars"] description: "Australian footballer (born 1991)" topic_path: "science/astronomy" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyah_Simon" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Australian footballer (born 1991) ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox football biography"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Kyah Simon |
| image | Kyah-simon-2017-algarve (cropped).jpg |
| caption | Simon playing at the 2017 Algarve Cup |
| full_name | Kyah Pam Simon |
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | Blacktown, Australia |
| height | |
| position | Striker |
| years1 | 2008–2009 |
| clubs1 | Central Coast Mariners |
| caps1 | 9 |
| goals1 | 5 |
| years2 | 2009–2013 |
| clubs2 | Sydney FC |
| caps2 | 41 |
| goals2 | 23 |
| years3 | 2012–2013 |
| clubs3 | Boston Breakers |
| caps3 | 30 |
| goals3 | 16 |
| years4 | 2013–2014 |
| clubs4 | Western Sydney Wanderers |
| caps4 | 0 |
| goals4 | 0 |
| years5 | 2014–2017 |
| clubs5 | Sydney FC |
| caps5 | 27 |
| goals5 | 12 |
| years6 | 2015–2016 |
| clubs6 | Boston Breakers |
| caps6 | 23 |
| goals6 | 3 |
| years7 | 2017–2020 |
| clubs7 | Melbourne City |
| caps7 | 31 |
| goals7 | 10 |
| years8 | 2018–2019 |
| clubs8 | Houston Dash |
| caps8 | 25 |
| goals8 | 4 |
| years9 | 2020–2021 |
| clubs9 | PSV |
| caps9 | 7 |
| goals9 | 2 |
| years10 | 2021–2023 |
| clubs10 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| caps10 | 14 |
| goals10 | 3 |
| years11 | 2023–2024 |
| clubs11 | Central Coast Mariners |
| caps11 | 12 |
| goals11 | 3 |
| years12 | 2024–2025 |
| clubs12 | Sydney FC |
| caps12 | 0 |
| goals12 | 0 |
| nationalyears1 | 2008–2009 |
| nationalteam1 | Australia U-20 |
| nationalcaps1 | 15 |
| nationalgoals1 | 10 |
| nationalyears2 | 2007–2023 |
| nationalteam2 | Australia |
| nationalcaps2 | 111 |
| nationalgoals2 | 29 |
| pcupdate | 28 May 2024 |
| ntupdate | 20 July 2023 |
| :: |
| name = Kyah Simon | image = Kyah-simon-2017-algarve (cropped).jpg | image_size = | caption = Simon playing at the 2017 Algarve Cup | full_name = Kyah Pam Simon | birth_date = | birth_place = Blacktown, Australia | height = | position = Striker | currentclub = | clubnumber = | years1 = 2008–2009 | clubs1 = Central Coast Mariners | caps1 = 9 | goals1 = 5 | years2 = 2009–2013 | clubs2 = Sydney FC | caps2 = 41 | goals2 = 23 | years3 = 2012–2013 | clubs3 = Boston Breakers | caps3 = 30 | goals3 = 16 | years4 = 2013–2014 | clubs4 = Western Sydney Wanderers | caps4 = 0 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2014–2017 | clubs5 = Sydney FC | caps5 = 27 | goals5 = 12 | years6 = 2015–2016 | clubs6 = Boston Breakers | caps6 = 23 | goals6 = 3 | years7 = 2017–2020 | clubs7 = Melbourne City | caps7 = 31 | goals7 = 10 | years8 = 2018–2019 | clubs8 = Houston Dash | caps8 = 25 | goals8 = 4 | years9 = 2020–2021 | clubs9 = PSV | caps9 = 7 | goals9 = 2 | years10 = 2021–2023 | clubs10 = Tottenham Hotspur | caps10 = 14 | goals10 = 3 | years11 = 2023–2024 | clubs11 = Central Coast Mariners | caps11 = 12 | goals11 = 3 | years12 = 2024–2025 | clubs12 = Sydney FC | caps12 = 0 | goals12 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2008–2009 | nationalteam1 = Australia U-20 | nationalcaps1 = 15 | nationalgoals1 = 10 | nationalyears2 = 2007–2023 | nationalteam2 = Australia | nationalcaps2 = 111 | nationalgoals2 = 29 | pcupdate = 28 May 2024 | ntupdate = 20 July 2023 Kyah Pam Simon (born 25 June 1991) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a striker. She has represented Australia from 2007 to 2023, making 111 caps and scoring 29 goals. In 2011, Simon became the first Indigenous Australian player to score a goal in a FIFA Women's World Cup.
Simon has played for Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners, Western Sydney Wanderers, and Melbourne City in the Australian A-League Women, as well as Boston Breakers and Houston Dash in the American National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Early life and education
Kyah Pam Simon, who is of Aboriginal Australian descent, was born on 25 June 1991 in the western suburbs of Sydney in New South Wales, one of four children. Her mother, Pam, is of the Anaiwan people, while her father, Gordon, is of the Biripi people. The family moved to Quakers Hill when she was a year old and she attended school at Pacific Hills Christian School, with her siblings. She only later realised what enormous sacrifices her parents had made for their children to attend private school, and to support her career. She later attended Hills Sports High School, where Alen Stajcic (later coach of the Matildas) was head coach.
Growing up amongst a family of rugby league players, Simon was introduced to soccer by her neighbors,
Club career
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Kyah_Simon.jpg" caption="Simon playing for the Central Coast Mariners"] ::
Central Coast Mariners
Simon made her debut for the Central Coast Mariners against Melbourne Victory on Saturday, 25 October 2008. Simon then made her scoring debut during Round 3 against Canberra United, scoring a double to assist the Mariners to a 2–1 win away from home.
Sydney FC
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Kyah_Simon-SydneyFC.jpg" caption="Simon playing for Sydney FC"] ::
Simon joined Sydney FC for the 2009 W-League Season, playing in the first round against former club the Central Coast Mariners.
She was the top scorer in the 2010–11 W-League with 11 goals in 12 games. She also earned Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Players Player of the Year honours.
Boston Breakers
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/2013-06-09_RedStars_v_Breakers_KyahSimon.JPG" caption="Simon playing for the Boston Breakers"] ::
In April 2012, Simon signed with the Boston Breakers for the first and only season of the Women's Premier Soccer League Elite (WPSL Elite). She finished the season as the team's leading scorer with 12 goals and 26 points. She also ranked second in the league in the same categories. Simon logged 1,052 minutes with the Breakers and finished with two assists.
In 2013, Simon signed as a free agent with the Breakers for the inaugural season of the National Women's Soccer League.
Western Sydney Wanderers
In September 2013, Simon signed with Western Sydney Wanderers.
Return to Sydney FC
After being injured for most of the 2013–14 season and hardly playing, Simon returned to Sydney FC for the 2014 season.
Return to Boston Breakers
On 30 June 2015, after leading the Australia women's national soccer team to a quarter-final of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, the Boston Breakers announced the signing of Simon, returning her to the National Women's Soccer League.
In January 2017, citing a need to "get my mind and body back to 100 percent health and fitness, and be ready for the next season", it was announced that Simon would not return to the Boston Breakers for the 2017 season. The Breakers retained the rights to her contract for the 2017 season.
Melbourne City
On 6 October 2017, Simon returned to Australia, joining Melbourne City.
Houston Dash
After the Breakers folded ahead of the 2018 NWSL season, the NWSL held a dispersal draft to distribute Breakers players across the league. Her rights were selected 6th overall by Houston. On 28 February, the Dash announced they signed Simon to a contract. She made her debut for the Dash on 28 April against the North Carolina Courage in a 2–0 loss. Simon scored her first goal of the season in a 1–1 draw against the Portland Thorns FC on 9 May. Following the 2019 NWSL season, the Dash and Kyah came to a mutual agreement to depart the club, placing her on the re-entry wire.
Return to Central Coast Mariners
In October 2023, Simon re-signed with Central Coast Mariners. On 28 January 2024, Simon made her first appearance of the season as a 83rd minute substitute in a 2–0 win over Newcastle Jets. This was Simon's first match after 480 days, after spending a lengthy period of time out due to injury. In August 2024, the club announced her departure.
Return to Sydney FC
In September 2024, Simon returned to former club Sydney FC, signing for the 2024–25 A-League Women season. Simon was released by the club after one season, having not made a single appearance for the club.
International career
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Seleções_feminina_da_Austrália_e_Alemanha_empatam_em_SP_04.jpg" caption="Germany]] at the 2016 Olympics"] ::
Simon made her debut for the Matildas in August 2007, at the age of 16, in a match against Hong Kong. She scored her first goal in a win over Brazil in the 2008 Peace Cup. In 2010, she scored the winning penalty for Australia to win the 2010 Asian Cup.
Simon appeared at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where she scored both of Australia's goals in a 2–1 win over Norway to ensure qualification for the quarter finals. She was the first male or female Indigenous Australian player to score a goal in a World Cup tournament.
During the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup round of 16 match against higher ranked Brazil, Simon slotted in the winning goal on a rebound after an initial attempt by Lisa De Vanna bounced off the Brazilian goalkeeper Luciana. The Matildas qualified for a historic quarter-final match after the 1–0 win against Brazil, however were knocked out by Japan in the quarterfinal. Simon played each of Australia's 5 matches and scored 3 goals, including both goals in a 2–0 win against Nigeria in group stage.
During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Simon became the ninth Matilda and first Indigenous Australian player to reach 100 caps. The Matildas qualified for the quarter-finals and beat Great Britain before being eliminated in the semi-final with Sweden. In the playoff for the Bronze medal they were beaten by the USA. The striker had an Anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) in October 2022 and was still recovering in June of the following year when she was named for the home FIFA Women's World Cup squad. She spent the entire tournament on the substitutes bench.
Other activities
Simon has learnt about the hardships and discrimination endured by her grandparents' families, which gave her new appreciation for what her family has given her. She has said "...every time I pull on the Matildas jersey, it's for my family. As I see it, the jersey is as much theirs as mine".
She is proud of her Aboriginal heritage, and appreciates social media for the role it plays in helping to "change that conversation [about what it means to be Aboriginal] and open people's eyes to get different perspectives". Simon was instrumental in the Matildas' decision to display the Aboriginal flag in the team photo for their first game of the Tokyo Olympics, as a uniquely Australian gesture, rather than taking the knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. to help foster engagement between the game and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
In popular culture
Television and film
In 2013, Simon was featured in an hour-long episode of ESPN's Aussies Abroad entitled, The Matildas, which profiled four Australian national team players (Simon, Lisa De Vanna, Samantha Kerr, and Caitlin Foord) and their experience playing internationally.
Simon was also one of the subjects, the other being Lydia Williams, of a football documentary titled No Apologies by filmmaker Ashley Morrison. This documentary tells the story of the two Aboriginal female footballers and their journey to the Women's World Cup in Germany in 2011.
Magazines
In June 2011, Simon was on the cover of the Australian FourFourTwo Magazine along with fellow Matildas Melissa Barbieri, Sam Kerr, Thea Slatyer and Sarah Walsh.
Personal life
Simon is in a relationship with Faye Bryson. Her cousin, Gema Simon, was also an Australian international footballer.
Career statistics
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Kyah_Simon_playing_against_Japan_WNT_in_2012.jpg" caption="Japan]] in Tokyo, June 2012"] ::
International
::data[format=table]
| Australia national team | Year | Apps | Goals | Total | 111 | 29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2008 | 11 | 1 | ||||
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2010 | 10 | 1 | ||||
| 2011 | 11 | 5 | ||||
| 2012 | 7 | 4 | ||||
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2015 | 18 | 5 | ||||
| 2016 | 12 | 5 | ||||
| 2017 | 6 | 2 | ||||
| 2018 | 9 | 1 | ||||
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2020 | 5 | 2 | ||||
| 2021 | 13 | 1 | ||||
| 2022 | 6 | 2 | ||||
| :: |
:Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Simon goal.
::data[format=table title="List of international goals scored by Kyah Simon"]
Honours
Sydney
Melbourne City
Australia
Individual
References
References
- Lewis, Samantha. (25 November 2021). "How Indigenous Matildas star Kyah Simon is using her voice to fight racism". [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]].
- (17 June 2011). "FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011 – List of Players: Australia". [[FIFA.
- Simon, Kyah. (2018). "'The things that were left unsaid'".
- (30 June 2015). "Matildas pair Alen Stajcic and Kyah Simon inspire next crop of stars at Hills Sports High Seven Hills". Blacktown Advocate.
- (15 October 2011). "This Sporting Life: Kyah Simon". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
- (5 October 2009). "Mariners take down Sydney". Haymarket Media.
- "Breakers sign Australian forward Kyah Simon".
- "Kyah Simon". No Apologies.
- "Kyah Simon". Boston Breakers.
- "Kyah Simon is returning to the Boston Breakers". NWSL News.
- "Simon studying Stateside". Football Federation Australia.
- Odong, Ann. (24 September 2013). "Kyah Simon wanders home to Western Sydney". The Women's Game.
- (29 August 2014). "Westfield W-League Squad Bolstered As New Shirt Sponsor Gained". [[Football Federation Australia]].
- "Boston Breakers sign Australian forward Kyah Simon; This will be Simon's second stint with the Breakers".
- "Taking the year off; Breakers' Kyah Simon returning to Australia".
- (16 January 2017). "Equalizer Soccer – Monday Roundup: Alex Morgan confirms strike still possibility". The Equalizer.
- (6 October 2017). "Melbourne City FC signs Matildas star Kyah Simon". [[Melbourne City FC.
- (20 January 2018). "Full dispersal draft results". NWSL.
- (28 February 2018). "Houston Dash sign Australian International Kyah Simon".
- (3 June 2018). "Kyah Simon".
- Levine, Matthew. (4 November 2019). "NWSL Announces 19 Players Available on Re-Entry Wire". [[National Women's Soccer League]].
- (11 October 2023). "'Full circle moment': Matildas striker Kyah Simon returns to A-League Women". [[The Guardian]].
- (29 January 2024). "Matildas at Home Review: Simon makes her return after 480 days; Yallop scores and assists". [[Football Australia ]].
- (12 August 2024). "Central Coast Mariners confirm the departure of four Liberty A-League players".
- (26 September 2024). "100+ Capped Matildas Star Kyah Simon Comes Home".
- (18 June 2025). "Sydney FC Thanks Out-Going Women's Players".
- (8 July 2011). "Kyah enjoying Matildas run". Special Broadcasting Service.
- (8 August 2021). "More to come from Kyah Simon as she reaches 100 caps". The Matildas.
- "Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo 2021".
- (19 June 2023). "CommBank Matildas announce provisional squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™". [[Football Australia]].
- Harper, Lachlan. (10 October 2024). "Football news 2024 {{!}} Kyah Simon returns to Sydney FC, A League launch; Matildas World Cup; Kyah Simon injuries".
- Cloos, Teisha. (10 November 2021). "Football Australia Establishes National Indigenous Advisory Group".
- "The Matildas". ESPN.
- (23 October 2013). "Aussies Abroad: The Matildas". ESPN.
- "Home page".
- "Kyah: Now I've Got Your Attention...". Haymarket Media.
- (18 July 2023). "Kyah Simon: Soccer World Cup Star Shares Coming Out Story".
- (25 January 2023). "'Not a huge fan of it': A-League players uncomfortable with Australia Day fixtures".
- (29 April 2011). "Female stars keeping it in the family". [[FIFA]].
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::