Sarah Hunter (soccer)

Sarah Hunter
Personal information
Full name Sarah Rose Hunter[1]
Date of birth (2003-10-07) 7 October 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Sydney, Australia
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Paris FC
Number 5
Youth career
Football NSW-FNSW Institute
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 Western Sydney Wanderers 9 (2)
2022–2023 Sydney FC 37 (5)
2023– Paris FC 7 (0)
International career‡
2022 Australia U20 8 (6)
2022 Australia U23 4 (1)
2023– Australia 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 December 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 December 2024

Sarah Rose Hunter (born 7 October 2003) is an Australian soccer player who plays for Paris FC in the Division 1 Féminine. She has previously played for Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC in the A-League.

Early life

Hunter grew up in New South Wales and played for Northbridge FC and the FNSW Institute in her youth.[citation needed]. She was not able to play much from age 10 to 16 due to having two hip surgeries, a broken ankle, and ACL reconstruction.[2] Her schooling was at Pymble Ladies' College where she excelled at soccer.

Club career

Western Sydney Wanderers

In December 2020, Hunter joined A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers ahead of the 2020–21 W-League season. Making her debut in the A-league for the club in a 4–1 loss to Newcastle Jets, coming on in the 75th minute for Julie-Ann Russell.[3] Three games into her first professional season, 17 year old Hunter scored her first two A-league goals in a 2-2 draw against Adelaide United.

Sydney FC

September 2021, Hunter joined A-League club Sydney FC.[4][5]

March 2022 Hunter scores her first Sydney goal against Melbourne City.

In 2022, 18 year old Hunter was part of the 2021-22 Premiership team-topping ladder for record breaking fourth time.

April 2023, 19 year old Hunter was part of the 2022-23 Premiership team who were crowned Liberty A-league Champions beating Western United 4-0 in the Grand Final, in front of a record crowd at Western Sydney Stadium.[6]

June 2023, Hunter awarded the Sydney FC Under 20's Player of the Year[7]

Paris FC

In July 2023, Hunter joined French club Paris FC on a three-year contract.[8]

International career

In 2022, Hunter made her debut and scored her first goal for the Young Matildas in a 5–1 win over New Zealand.[9] Hunter was a part of Australia's side at the 2022 FIFA U-20 World Cup playing in all three games against Costa Rica, Brazil, and Spain. She scored a penalty goal in the Costa Rica game and was made captain in the third game against Spain.[2]

Hunter was a part of Australia U23's team at the 2022 AFF Women's Championship,[10] featuring in four games and scoring one goal against Singapore.[11]

In November 2023, she earned her first call-up to the senior national team when captain Sam Kerr missed the game due to injury.[12]

Honours

  • April 2023 - Professional Football Association (PFA) names Hunter in 2022-23 Women's Team of the season[13]
  • 1 June 2023 - 19 year old Hunter named as the Australian Liberty A-League Young Footballer of the Year.[14][15]
  • 6 June 2023 - Hunter awarded Sydney Football Club Under 20's player of the Year[7]

References

  1. ^ "Squad List, FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Costa Rica 2022: Australia (AUS)" (PDF). FIFA. 3 August 2022. p. 1. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b "'The setback made us stronger': How Young Matildas star Sarah Hunter is making up for lost time". ABC News. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Newcastle v Western Sydney Match Report". 23 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Sydney FC sign young duo". Sydney FC. 3 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Meet Sarah Hunter - Sydney FC Member Now Player - Sydney Fc". sydneyfc.com.
  6. ^ sachapisani (30 April 2023). "From heartbreak to elation as Sydney FC's star eyes a World Cup hat-trick: 'Hopefully it's good voodoo'". A-Leagues. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Tobin And Mak Take Out Sydney FC Top Awards". Sydney FC. 9 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Sarah Hunter rejoint le Paris FC" [Sarah Hunter joins Paris FC]. Paris FC (in French). 17 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Commbank Young Matildas Defeat New Zealand in Series Opener". Football Australia. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Andreatta Confirms Youthful Final 28 Player Australian U23 Squad 2022 AFF Women's". Football Australia. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Australia U23 v Singapore" (PDF). ASEAN Football Federation. 10 July 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  12. ^ "CommBank Matildas Squad Update | Matildas". www.matildas.com.au. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  13. ^ "PFA names A-League Women's Team of the Season | Matildas". www.matildas.com.au. 26 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Liberty Young Footballer of the Year | Sarah Hunter".
  15. ^ "Sarah Hunter awarded Young Player of the Year". Yahoo Sports. 1 June 2023.