She’s battled injury – but with a little inspiration from her family, Kyah Simon is on track to represent Australia at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
"I’ve had a knee reconstruction and two shoulder surgeries last year, as well as some soft tissue injuries and rolled ankles here and there" she told SBS News.
This season, Simon is hoping her injury woes are behind her and that she can help Melbourne City win a fourth consecutive W-League title.
Simon in action during an international friendly match between the Australian Matildas and New Zealand. Source: AAP
Then its all eyes on France for the FIFA Women's World Cup, which take place in June.
"I’m really hoping I can go into this season and just be injury free and obviously going into an important year next year with the World Cup as well," she said.
At 27, Simon is in her prime. And while her Matildas teammate Sam Kerr has become the biggest star in Australian women's football, Simon could have a big say in a successful Australian campaign in France next year.
The Indigenous star said her dedication to rehabilitation and pushing ahead with the game had been inspired by her family.
"To have my mum and my dad and my three siblings there helping me through it and being supportive when I needed them the most was important," she said.
Sam Kerr. Source: Getty Images
But Simon said she'd also been inspired by her idol, Olympian Cathy Freeman: "She (Freeman) definitely motivated me and inspired me to be able to do that for young Indigenous girls but also many Australians all over Australia".
Melbourne City kick off their 2018/19 season with a trip to play Canberra United on Sunday, October 28.
