Wednesday evening marked yet another high point in what has been a truly glorious year for Sam Kerr as our Westfield W-League skipper was named AFC Women’s Player of the Year at the AFC Awards event in Bangkok.
The 24-year-old has taken out a raft of individual honours following her stellar displays at domestic level for both Glory and American NWSL side Sky Blue FC and on the international stage with the Matildas.
And Glory CEO Peter Filopoulos was thrilled to see the striker’s achievements recognised once again.
“Sam is a huge asset to both our club and football in Australia at a wider level,” he said.
“The way she conducts herself on and off the pitch makes her a fantastic role model for young female players and she thoroughly deserves all the accolades that have come her way.
“Having already been named the Westfield W-League and NWSL MVP, WA Young Australian of the Year and Women’s Health Sportswoman of the Year, this latest award is another one that I’m sure Sam will be extremely proud to have won and everyone in the Perth Glory family shares that pride with her.”
Kerr edged out DPR Korea forward Sung Hyang Sim, and Japanese defender Saki Kumagai to take top spot at a glittering ceremony on Wednesday evening and was typically humble when interviewed after the event.
Feeling very honoured to win AFC player of the year. Pretty cool to join the 3 previous Aussie winners, @KathrynA_12 @KatrinaGorry & @CaitlinFoord . Thank you to every single one of my team mates through out the year. Bigger & better 2018 ??
— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) November 29, 2017
“This is the third time Australia have won the award and I think we are going in the right direction with women’s football in Australia,” she said. “I am very proud to fly the flag for Australia. Individual awards are not important.
“It’s been a good year for the clubs and the Matildas and my top memory on a personal level is breaking the record, and the award in the US which I will probably remember forever.
“My team mates are everything, like I said, without them it wouldn’t be possible.
“My two clubs are my everything and hopefully in the future I will have success also with the national team.”
The in-form striker flew direct from Bangkok to Sydney to link up with her Glory teammates who are set to take on Western Sydney Wanderers at Marconi Stadium on Friday afternoon (kick off 1.30pm WST).
#CREATEDESTINY
