Darcey Malone may have been a bit too young for the current Matildas who are flying the Australian colours high at the FIFA women’s world cup in France.
But the 15 year old football wizard, who has won the Wests Sports Council 2019 elite sports person of the year award, will be a very good chance of selection when the next world cup comes around in four years.
That’s not as far-fetched as it sounds: Darcey Malone has already been named as a member of the junior Matildas for a qualifier in Laos and is working on cementing a spot in the 2020 Under 17s FIFA women’s world cup.
She started her soccer career at Mount Annan, before moving to the region’s representative team, the Macarthur Rams.
Last year she represented NSW as the youngest soccer player in the Under 17s and is now a member of the Football NSW Institute.
She was nominated for the Wests Sports Council award by the Macarthur Football Association, who cited her outstanding skills, sportsmanship and dedication to football.
“This is an honour and I would just like to congratulate my fellow nominees on their outstanding achievements,’’ the young star said after accepting the award at the annual awards dinner in Wests Leagues club last Friday.
“I also wish to thank the Macarthur Football Association and Wests Group Macarthur for all of their support,” Ms Malone said.
Winners in the other categories were:
- Elite sports team of the year: Campbelltown Camden Ghosts cricket club’s first grade women’s team, who won the 2019 Cricket NSW Premier Women’s premiership for the first time in 31 years;
- Junior sportsperson of the year (U12): Brayden Brook, Wests Hockey Club;
- Youth sportsperson of the year (12-16 years): Matthew Browne, Magpies Cricket Club;
- Senior sportsperson of the year: Suzie Haddad, Mount Annan Swim Club;
- Club sports team of the year: U13Cs Airds Lyrebirds Netball Club;
- Spirit of sport award: Tiarne Martin, Eagle Vale Netball Club.
This year’s awards were hosted by Olympian Sarah Ryan and special guests included former Socceroo and Macarthur FC Bulls ambassador Brett Emerton.
“These young people are an inspiration and we are proud to be able to support them in their sporting endeavours,’’ said Tony Mathew, CEO of Wests Group Macarthur.
“These awards give us the opportunity to really recognise the achievements of our local sporting clubs and individuals and we are very proud to be able to contribute.”
