Steph Catley
Stephanie-Elise "Steph" Catley is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Arsenal and the Australian women's national team.
Professional career
Melbourne Victory, 2009-2014
A talented youngster who played for the South East Cougars in Football Federation Victoria's Victorian Champions League program, Catley made her senior debut with Melbourne Victory at a young age, playing Perth Glory at only fifteen years of age in October 2009. Originally playing predominantly in the midfield before converting to full-back, Catley was a key figure in a young team and scored her maiden goal in her second season at the Victory three days before her birthday against Perth Glory in January 2011. Following a switch to defence for the 2011/12 season, Catley had her most impressive season to date and was rewarded by winning Female Footballer of the Year. She later became captain of the Victory, making 51 appearances, scoring 7 goals in her first 5 years playing for the club.Portland Thorns FC, 2014–2015
At the end of the 2013–14 W-League season, Catley signed with NWSL team Portland Thorns. During her time at the club she made 17 appearances.Melbourne Victory (loan), 2014–2015
During the NWSL offseason, Catley signed a loan agreement to return to her original club, the Melbourne Victory, for the 2014–15 W-League season.Melbourne City (loan), 2015–2016
On 17 September 2015, newly created Melbourne City announced they had signed Catley on a loan agreement for the 2015–16 W-League season. On 25 January 2016 Catley scored the 4th penalty for Melbourne City in a penalty shootout win against the Brisbane Roar in a close encounter. Catley helped City to their League and Championship inaugural winning season.Orlando Pride, 2016–2017
On 10 December 2015, The Portland Thorns announced they had traded Catley to the Orlando Pride in exchange for goalkeeper Adrianna Franch and a 3rd round pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, which was used to select Arizona State Sun Devils defender McKenzie Berryhill. Catley scored Orlando Pride's first ever goal in the NWSL on 21 April 2016.Melbourne City (loan), 2016–2018
Catley signed two other loan agreements with Melbourne City for the 2016–17 W-League and 2017–18 W-League seasons. Upon returning to Australia, Catley was named captain of the reigning league champions Melbourne City. City went on to be Grand Final Champions in both these campaigns.Reign FC, 2018–2019
Prior to the 2018 NWSL season, Catley was traded from the Orlando Pride to the Seattle Reign FC in exchange for Christine Nairn and Carson Pickett. Following her first season with the Reign, Catley underwent knee surgery. Catley was injured in a friendly international match in February 2019, leading her to miss the beginning of the 2019 NWSL season.Melbourne City (loan), 2018–2019
Catley underwent knee surgery prior to the 2018-19 W-League. She returned that season to make 7 appearances and score 1 goal with Melbourne City FC.Arsenal W.F.C, 2020–
On 2 July 2020, Catley signed for FA WSL team Arsenal.International career
Having spent years playing in the youth teams of Australia, Catley made her international senior debut against New Zealand in June 2012, the same match as her childhood friend Ashley Brown. Catley made 32 appearances for the Matildas leading into her first World Cup campaign. She was named to her second world cup, the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France as a vice-captain on 14 May 2019Catley was part of the Australia women's national soccer team squad for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, and was a starter in the games against the United States, Nigeria, Sweden and Brazil. During the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Catley made all 5 starts at left back for Australia and played all 450 minutes. She made 8 tackles and won them all. Catley also made 12 interceptions and won 13 duels. Steph had a 72.4 percent accuracy for passing.
Catley went onto play for the Matildas during the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. She appeared in all 4 games for the Matildas making three starts. In 2017 Catley appeared in the 2017 Algarve Cup and 2017 Tournament of Nations. In 2018, Catley helped the Matildas in their fourth place win at the 2018 Algarve Cup, their second place win at the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup and 2019 Algarve Cup and their first place win at the 2017 Tournament of Nations.
On 14 May 2019 Catley was named to the squad as vice-captain for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Media
Catley appeared on the cover of the Australian edition of FIFA 16, alongside global cover-star Lionel Messi, as well as compatriot Tim Cahill, making her one of the first women to feature on the cover of an EA Sports video game.Career statistics
Club
International goals
Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first.| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 22 November 2012 | Bao'an Stadium, Shenzen, China | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2013 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup qualifying | |
| 2 | 19 May 2015 | Valentine Sports Park, Sydney | 1–0 | 4–0 | Friendly | |
| 3 | 7 February 2020 | Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney, Australia | 3–0 | 7–0 | 2020 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament |
Honours
Club
;Melbourne Victory;Melbourne City FC
- W-League Premiership: 2015–16
- W-League Championship: 2016, 2017
Country
- AFF U-16 Women's Championship: 2009
- AFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 2016
- Tournament of Nations: 2017
Individual
- W-League Young Player of the Year: 2012–13
- FFA Female U20 Footballer of the Year: 2012, 2013