Kyah Simon talks about her journey of resilience for Pantene's Moment of Strength

Pantene Moment of Strength: Kyah Simon's journey of resilience

When describing Kyah Simon, one word quickly comes to mind; resilient.

Her continued efforts to challenge herself and those around her speaks volumes about her character.

A great example of coach Gustavsson's mantra, she is always looking to be 'one day better,' with her hunger to succeed and grow seeing Kyah play all over the world.

Simon, a proud Anaiwan woman from Western Sydney, draws strength from the people around her who she credits with helping her become the person she is today.

One notable hero Kyah draws inspiration from is fellow Olympian, Cathy Freeman.

She attributes Freeman’s gold medal-winning run in Sydney 2000 as the catalyst that drove her desire to represent her country one day.

Kyah looks back on this day with fond memories, saying Cathy’s strength to overcome her struggles inspired the young emerging player to dream.

 

Years later, Kyah drew on the strength she learnt as a young girl in her emerging football career.

She recalls the first moment that she had to find strength within herself at the age of 15 when making her first grade debut for her local club, Penrith Nepean United FC.

Coming on as a substitute in the final 10 minutes of the game, Simon was looking to impress and was on the verge of earning a scholarship with the NSW Institute of Sport.

That dream seemed shattered in a matter of minutes when, in a late tackle she broke her tibia and fibula.

I just remember having my eyes closed for what felt like a lifetime

 At the time of her injury, Simon recalls that coaches and medical staff sent her home, as they did not think it was a broken leg.

Later, Kyah’s mother, Pam, rushed her for X-Rays, which showed the double break. 

This was the start of a long journey to recovery for the young star, not only building strength back up in her damaged leg but also gaining the mental strength to come back from the injury.

At the time, Kyah recalls critics saying she would never represent Australia or achieve her dreams.

The rehabilitation from this injury involved six months of grueling work to get back to her best.

Simon’s dedication to push herself and strengthen both her mind and her body, saw the striker awarded the scholarship six months after she was injured.

Kyah Simon celebrates a goal against Norway.

 

Fast forward one year from her recovery from this horrific injury and Kyah was making her debut for the senior team at just 16 years of age in an 8-1 win over Hong Kong.

Simon would go on to play an integral role in some of the defining moments in Matildas' history, such as scoring the fifth and final penalty to secure the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup, the first time the team had won the prestigious trophy.

Perhaps the most notable and proudest experience for Simon was her two goals against Norway in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

These two goals sealed a knockout stage appearance for the Matildas and in a significant and personal milestone, she became the first Indigenous Australian player to score at a World Cup, male, or female.

A decade later, no other Indigenous Australian player has followed Simon’s feat.

Many will be keenly watching Kyah’s performance in Tokyo and finding their inspiration in her displays of courage and strength on and off the field, just as Cathy Freeman’s triumph at the Sydney 2000 Olympics did for a young Simon.

Kyah’s resilience will no doubt encourage other young footballers to follow in her brave footsteps.