Lydia Williams

Having overseen the Commbank Matildas' rapid rise into becoming the nation's most beloved team, 100-cap Lydia Williams continues to rise whenever entrusted with the green and gold jersey, having represented her country over an incredible 17 years. Spotted for her goalkeeping abilities at a young age, Williams transitioned directly from the Australian Institute of Sport into the senior national team at age 15, eventually, un-seeding Commbank Matildas legend Melissa Barbieri. Incredibly, Williams had made her first senior appearance for her country, before debuting for the junior under-20s.   The move to first-team club football was just as seamless, with Canberra United the first to acquire her services the then 20-year-old, helping the side to their first A-League Women's championship in 2011/12. Perhaps the first of the current Commbank Matildas side to transition abroad, Williams spent 7 seasons in the United States with numerous large top flight clubs, before switching to the rapidly expanding English Super League, in which the 34-year-old has had success both domestically and in continental competition, with current side Arsenal FC. The daughter of a proud Noongar man from south-west WA, Williams' does more then just inspire football fans in Australia with her performances, the player, turned author, has become an inspiration to all Indigenous women, who aspire to represent themselves and their culture, on the world stage.