Sarah Walsh


Sarah Ann Walsh is an Australian former soccer player who is Head of Women's Football at Football Australia. A forward, she played for the Australia women's national soccer team from 2004 to 2012.

Early life

Walsh was born in Camden, New South Wales.

Playing career

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 before being traded. She also added a goal and an assist for Sky Blue FC.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, 2012–13

In October 2012, it was announced that Walsh had signed for Western Sydney Wanderers 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 Summer 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 substituted out in the 54th minute.

Sports administration and other roles

Walsh is a representative of the Professional Footballers Association'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.
, 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. In 2024, Walsh was appointed as COO of the Women’s Asian Cup office.

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. She has since married a woman named Toni Knowlson.

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.
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
118 February 2004Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Brisbane, Australia2–02–02004 Australia Cup
24 March 2004Govind Park, Ba, Fiji4–010–02004 Olympic qualifying
37 July 2004Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico1–02–1Friendly
47 July 2004Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico2–02–1Friendly
519 October 2005Patriot Stadium, El Paso, United States1–02–0Friendly
630 May 2006Bob Jane Stadium, Melbourne, Australia3–04–0Friendly
716 June 2006Shanghai Football Association National Training Centre, Shanghai, China1–11–2Friendly
816 July 2006Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia2–04–02006 AFC Women's Asian Cup
924 July 2006Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia3–05–02006 AFC Women's Asian Cup
1029 October 2006Gimhae Stadium, Gimhae, South Korea1–01–02006 Peace Queen Cup
1121 February 2007Zhongshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan1–02–02008 Olympic qualifying
1221 February 2007Zhongshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan2–02–02008 Olympic qualifying
1323 February 2007Zhongshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan5–010–02008 Olympic qualifying
1425 February 2007Zhongshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan3–08–12008 Olympic qualifying
157 April 2007BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, Australia1–015–02008 Olympic qualifying
167 April 2007BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, Australia2–015–02008 Olympic qualifying
1715 April 2007Zhongshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan2–010–02008 Olympic qualifying
1815 April 2007Zhongshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan4–010–02008 Olympic qualifying
1915 April 2007Zhongshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan6–010–02008 Olympic qualifying
2019 July 2007BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, Australia1–03–0Friendly
2119 July 2007BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, Australia2–03–0Friendly
2212 August 2007BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, Australia2–07–02008 Olympic qualifying
2316 August 2007Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium, Tianjin, China3–23–2Friendly
2412 September 2007Yellow Dragon Sports Center, Hangzhou, China1–04–12007 FIFA Women's World Cup
251 March 2008Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast, Australia1–02–0Friendly
263 May 2008Legion Field, Birmingham, United States2–42–5Friendly
2717 February 2010North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand1–03–0Friendly
2817 February 2010North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand2–03–0Friendly
296 March 2010Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane, Australia1–03–2Friendly
3027 June 2012WIN Stadium, Wollongong, Australia1–02–0Friendly
3127 June 2012WIN Stadium, Wollongong, Australia2–02–0Friendly
3219 September 2012Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver, United States2–12–6Friendly

Honours

Club

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

    International

;Australia
  • AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2010