Australian Cap Number: 177
Debut: 24-June-2012 v New Zealand (in Wollongong) International Friendly (D1-1) age 18
Caps (Goals): 124 (5)
Major Tournaments: 2014 AFC Asian Cup (Vietnam), 2015 FIFA World Cup (Canada), 2016 Olympic Games (Rio de Janeiro), 2018 AFC Asian Cup (Jordan), 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2020 Olympic Games (Tokyo), 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup (India), 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup (Australia & New Zealand).
Current Club: Arsenal FC (England)
Previous Clubs: Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City, Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, Seattle Reign
An ever-present for the Matildas, including playing all 450 minutes of Australia’s 5 matches in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, vice-captain Stephanie “Steph” Catley will no doubt have a statue made in her honour one day after featuring in almost every major tournament involving the Matildas over the past decade.
The versatile defender started playing football when she was just six years old, unphased by being the only girl on the team and embracing the skills she learnt from her brother and fellow teammates, “I fell in love with the game and with the idea of making myself the best footballer that I could be.”
This mentality has shaped Steph’s career. Although only 29 years old, Steph’s presence in the footballing scene transcends time as the then-teenage prodigy debuted for her hometown club, Melbourne Victory at just 15 years of age. Steph’s first venture to an overseas side saw her sign for Portland Thorns FC in America’s NWSL.
Steph then signed from cross-town rivals, the newly formed Melbourne City on loan, who won the premiership in their inaugural, invincible season. A move to Orlando Pride followed being traded by Portland Thorns FC and a return to Melbourne City on loan saw Catley captain the side to back-to-back championships in 2016-2017 and again in 2020 with her game-winning goal against Sydney FC.
In 2020, Steph made a huge career move to Arsenal FC, the most successful club in the English women’s game, alongside fellow Matilda, Caitlin Foord. Plying her trade under Australian coach, Joe Montemurro, Joe highlighted her positional sense and effectiveness going forward as key attributes to fitting in with the squad.
The left-footed attack-minded defender has also found time outside of football to study for her Bachelor of Education whilst living in London with her fiancé, Dean, who is also a professional footballer, and their dog Calvin.
