Ashleigh Sykes

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Ashleigh Sykes

| image = Ashleigh Sykes.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Sykes playing for Canberra United in 2009

| fullname = Ashleigh Sykes{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWWC/2015/pdf/FWWC_2015_SquadLists.pdf |title=FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 – List of Players: Australia |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |page=1 |date=6 July 2015 |access-date=27 December 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608175618/http://www.fifadata.com/document/FWWC/2015/pdf/FWWC_2015_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=8 June 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1991|12|15}}

| birth_place = Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia

| height = 1.64 m

| position = Striker

| currentclub = Canberra United

| clubnumber = 14

| youthclubs1 = SASS Strikers |youthyears1 =

| years1= 2008–2018

| clubs1= Canberra United

| caps1= 97 | goals1 = 37

| years2= 2016

| clubs2= AS Harima ALBION

| caps2= | goals2 =

| years3= 2017

| clubs3= Portland Thorns

| caps3= 17 | goals3 = 1

| years4= 2021–2022

| clubs4= Canberra United

| caps4= 8 | goals4 = 3

| nationalyears1= 2008–2009

| nationalteam1 = Australia U-20

| nationalcaps1 = 12 | nationalgoals1 = 5

| nationalyears2= 2008–2018

| nationalteam2= Australia

| nationalcaps2= 19 | nationalgoals2 = 5

| pcupdate = 21 October 2017

| ntupdate = 7 March 2016

}}

Ashleigh Sykes (born 15 December 1991) is an Australian international football player who last played in 2022 for Canberra United FC of the A-League Women and has previously played for Portland Thorns FC in the U.S.'s National Women's Soccer League and AS Harima Albion in Japan's Nadeshiko League.

Early life

Sykes grew up in Dubbo, New South Wales. She played for Dubbo SASS,{{cite web|publisher=SASS Strikers |url=http://www.sassstrikers.com.au/famous-player |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513134908/http://www.sassstrikers.com.au/famous-player |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 May 2011 |title=Famous Players |access-date=23 June 2015 }} and was also CSSA Athletics champion in 2006. She has a twin, Nicole, who is also a footballer.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/dream-comes-true-for-young-identical-twins-ashleigh-and-nicole-sykes-selected-for-matildas/story-fni2fopz-1226766417322|title=Dream comes true for young identical twins Ashleigh and Nicole Sykes, selected for Matildas|author=Carly Adno|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=23 November 2013|access-date=23 June 2015}}

Playing career

=Club=

Sykes joined Canberra United along with her sister Nicole in the W-League whilst still finishing school for the league's inaugural season in 2008–09. She made her debut in Canberra's first match, coming on for Grace Gill in a loss to Newcastle Jets.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/canberra-shot-down-by-jets/1q5ik0imtr0si1jtf9x5strdyq|title=Canberra shot down by Jets|publisher=Canberra United FC|date=27 October 2008|access-date=23 June 2015}} On 30 November 2008, Sykes scored her first goal for the club – the equaliser in a two-all draw with Perth Glory.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/sykes-rescues-a-point/3q08qarsimpe108sj2013uxwy|title=Sykes rescues a point|publisher=Canberra United FC|date=1 December 2008|access-date=23 June 2015}} Canberra went on to make the Grand Final only to lose to Brisbane Roar, with Sykes playing the second half.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/canberra-outclassed-in-westfield-w-league-decider/obzoy29om61p1udx8g5gv46zx|title=Canberra outclassed in Westfield W-League decider|publisher=Canberra United FC|access-date=23 June 2015|date=18 January 2009}} Sykes was presented with the club's Rising Star award after a strong first season.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/brush-named-inaugural-player-of-the-year/1lpj8hfj5o72d1hfovxtliysi8|title=Brush named inaugural Player of the Year|access-date=23 June 2015|date=17 February 2009|publisher=Canberra United FC}}

A broken leg suffered in a challenge against Melbourne Victory saw Sykes miss much of the 2010–11 W-League.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/leg-break-rules-out-ashleigh-sykes/d5oyiwv38gxf1d8tdecyfktkx|title=Leg break rules out Ashleigh Sykes|publisher=Canberra United FC|date=2 December 2010|access-date=23 June 2015}} However, Ashleigh was able to recover in time for the end of the season and finals in January 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/sykes-back-and-ready-to-fire-united-to-finals/p0jqs0bsxrnw1lis3nbigfj5t|title=Sykes back and ready to fire United to finals|publisher=Canberra United FC|date=20 January 2011|access-date=23 June 2015}} Her late winner against Perth Glory saw Canberra qualify for the finals.{{cite news|url=http://thewomensgame.com/2011/01/sykes-confirms-tilt-at-finals-glory/|title=Sykes confirms tilt at finals glory|publisher=The Women's Game|date=30 January 2011|access-date=23 June 2015}} Despite this, Canberra were eliminated by Brisbane Roar in the semi-final after a penalty shootout.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/penalty-heartbreak-for-united-in-semi-final/euz9e4v3nlug1pcakxonl8nwh|title=Penalty heartbreak for United in semi-final|publisher=Canberra United FC|date=6 February 2011|access-date=23 June 2015}}

Sykes was a member of the Canberra side which won the W-League Premiership after going through the entire 2011–12 W-League undefeated.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/canberra-win-title-undefeated/1egfcw2sebtu919pn5vhwohx11|title=Canberra win title undefeated|publisher=Canberra United FC|date=8 January 2012|access-date=23 June 2015}} On 28 January 2012, Sykes scored Canberra's second goal and set up another to secure a win in the 2012 W-League Grand Final, winning the club its first W-League Championship.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-28/united-down-roar-to-clinch-title/3798330|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|title=Canberra down Roar to clinch title|date=31 January 2012|access-date=23 June 2015}}

Sykes was once again a key player in the Canberra side which won a second Premiership in the 2013–14 W-League.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/canberra-united-clinch-top-spot-in-westfield-w-league/38t09i1p8ds714ttie9fob83t|title=Canberra United clinch top spot in Westfield W-League|publisher=Canberra United FC|access-date=23 June 2015|date=10 February 2014}}

On 7 December 2014, Sykes scored from a volley into the top corner from outside the area against Perth Glory to ensure Canberra's qualification for the finals of the 2014 W-League.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/canberra-stun-glory-to-book-finals-date/1lsezdv160y0m18jrm8hxgr4v9|title=Canberra stun Glory to book finals date|publisher=Canberra United FC|date=7 December 2014|access-date=23 June 2015}} The goal was later awarded W-League Goal of the Season.{{cite news|url=http://www.w-league.com.au/article/hyundai-a-leaguewestfield-w-league-award-winners/rlnx2v8zsh2133vf23v8rxjf|title=Hyundai A-League/Westfield W-League award winners|publisher=W-League|date=11 May 2015|access-date=23 June 2015}} Sykes went on to score twice in the Grand Final against Perth to earn Canberra its second Championship, and was also given the Player of the Grand Final award.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/canberra-united-wins-wleague-championship-with-31-victory-against-perth-glory-in-grand-final-20141221-12bmkg.html|author=Lee Gaskin|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=21 December 2014|access-date=23 June 2015|title=Canberra United wins W-League Championship with 3–1 victory against Perth Glory in Grand Final}}

On 10 February 2016, Sykes joined Japanese 2nd division club AS Harima ALBION.{{cite web|url=http://thewomensgame.com/2016/02/ashleigh-sykes-heads-to-japan-with-athletic-sports-harima-albion/|title=Ashleigh Sykes heads to Japan with Athletic Sports Harima ALBION|publisher=The Women's Game|date=10 February 2016}}

Sykes signed with the Portland Thorns in 2017{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2017/02/portland_thorns_sign_australia_1.html|title=Portland Thorns have signed Australian forward Ashleigh Sykes|work=The Oregonian|date=21 February 2017}} and made her first appearance for the team on 17 June 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2017/06/19/19098943/dazed-and-confused-thorns-fall-to-sky-blue-3-1|title=Dazed and Confused: Thorns Fall to Sky Blue FC 3-1|publisher=Portland Mercury|first=Erin|last=O'Regan|date=19 June 2017|access-date=20 June 2017}} After finishing second during the regular season, the Thorns advanced to the NWSL Championship with 4–1 win over the Orlando Pride.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2017/10/portland_thorns_advance_to_nws.html|title=Portland Thorns advance to NWSL Championship with 4-1 win over Orlando Pride|access-date=18 October 2017|date=7 October 2017}} Sykes became an NWSL champion when the Thorns defeated the regular-season winning team North Carolina Courage 1–0 in the 2017 NWSL Championship on 14 October 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2017/10/portland_thorns_win_2017_nwsl.html|title=Portland Thorns win 2017 NWSL Championship with 1-0 victory over North Carolina Courage|access-date=18 October 2017|date=15 October 2017}}

On 16 February 2018, Sykes retired from football at the age of 26 after 10 years at the top level, saying "I'm looking forward to moving on to the next stage of life."{{cite news|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/act-sport/wleague-canberra-united-cocaptain-ash-sykes-announces-retirement-20180215-h0w5yk.html|title=W-League: Canberra United co-captain Ash Sykes announces retirement|first=Caden|last=Helmers|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=16 February 2018}}{{Cite news |date=2018-02-15 |title=A letter to Thorns FC fans from Ashleigh Sykes |url=https://www.timbers.com/post/2018/02/15/letter-thorns-fc-fans-ashleigh-sykes |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201109033101/https://www.timbers.com/post/2018/02/15/letter-thorns-fc-fans-ashleigh-sykes |archive-date=2020-11-09 |access-date=2025-02-12 |work=Portland Timbers |language=en}}

In November 2021, after playing with Canberra Olympic, Sykes returned to the A-League Women, re-joining Canberra United for the 2021-22 season.{{cite web|url=https://canberraunited.com.au/news/canberra-united-legend-ash-sykes-returns|title=Canberra United Legend Ash Sykes Returns|website=Canberra United|date=23 November 2021}}

=International=

Sykes represented Australia U-20 on numerous occasions, including at the 2009 AFC U-19 Women's Championship.{{cite web|publisher=OzFootball.net|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/YoungMatildas/2009A.html|title=Young Matildas (U20) Internationals for 2009|access-date=23 June 2015}}

Sykes was first called up to the Australia senior side for the 2008 AFF Women's Championship in Vietnam and made her debut in the opening match against Thailand, setting up a goal after replacing Tameka Butt early in the match.{{cite news|url=http://www.socceroos.com.au/article/westfield-matildas-start-with-nervy-win/1jk3p35su2lvr14uayx8u00k6q|title=Westfield Matildas start with nervy win|publisher=Football Federation Australia|date=10 October 2008|access-date=23 June 2015}} She scored her first international goal in the next match, a win over Philippines.{{cite news|url=http://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/article/australia-too-classy-for-philippines/1rciug1ydq8lp1jwki8h48bzej|publisher=Football Federation Australia|date=13 October 2008|access-date=23 June 2015|title=Australia too classy for Philippines}} Sykes scored again in the next match – a 6–0 win over Singapore.{{cite news|url=http://www.socceroos.com.au/article/westfield-matildas-too-strong-for-singapore/6wnu4ko5g74u1wt3bnj6kepwm|title=Westfield Matildas too strong for Singapore|publisher=Football Federation Australia|date=14 October 2008|access-date=23 June 2015}} Sykes played a full match in the final as Australia won the tournament.{{cite news|url=http://www.socceroos.com.au/article/westfield-matildas-crowned-asean-champions/1kb7e0n6atp601du0pcqnjrxqm|title=Westfield Matildas crowned ASEAN Champions|publisher=Football Federation Australia|date=21 October 2008|access-date=23 June 2015}}

Sykes was not called up to the national side again until 2013, when she was selected for two friendlies against China, along with sister Nicole.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/nicole-and-ashleigh-sykes-selected-in-matildas-national-football-squad-20131115-2xm94.html|title=Nicole and Ashleigh Sykes selected in Matildas national football squad|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 November 2013|access-date=23 June 2015|author=Lee Gaskin}}

Following the appointment of Alen Stajcic, Sykes was more regularly involved with the national side. She was called up for the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup, and played in the group stage match against Jordan.{{cite news|url=http://thewomensgame.com/2014/05/kate-gill-makes-history-as-matildas-defeat-jordan-3-1/|title=Kate Gill makes history as Matildas defeat Jordan|date=17 May 2014|access-date=23 June 2015|publisher=The Women's Game}} Australia finished second in the tournament after losing to Japan in the final.{{cite news|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=23 June 2015|date=26 May 2014|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-26/matildas-fall-to-japan-1-0-in-asian-cup-final/5476764|title=Matildas lose 1–0 to Japan in final of AFC Women's Asian Cup}} She was also called up for the 2015 Cyprus Cup, and scored in victories over Finland{{cite news|url=http://thewomensgame.com/2015/03/australia-sweep-past-finland-3-0/|title=Australia sweep past Finland|publisher=The Women's Game|access-date=23 June 2015|date=10 March 2015}} and Czech Republic.{{cite news|url=http://thewomensgame.com/2015/03/matildas-finish-cyprus-cup-with-6-2-win-over-czech-republic/|title=Matildas finish Cyprus Cup with 6–2 win over Czech Republic|publisher=The Women's Game|access-date=23 June 2015|date=12 March 2015}}

In May 2015, Sykes was called up for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.{{cite news|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/alen-stajcic-names-23-player-westfield-matildas-squad-for-fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/k4w0yv6df7nj1ru4d2fivqlkr|title=Westfield Matildas name World Cup squad|date=12 May 2015|publisher=Football Federation Australia}} She made her World Cup debut in the first match of the group stage, playing the final seven minutes in a loss to USA.{{cite news|url=http://thewomensgame.com/2015/06/match-report-usa-v-australia/|publisher=The Women's Game|access-date=23 June 2015|date=10 June 2015|author=Cheryl Downes|title=Match Report: USA v Australia}}

Career statistics

=International appearances=

Year	Apps	Goals
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! colspan=3 \| Australia national team{{cite news\|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Matildas/Matildas.shtml\|title=Matildas International Games\|publisher=OzFootball.net\|access-date=25 April 2016}}
2008	4	2
2009	0	0
2010	0	0
2011	0	0
2012	0	0
2013	1	0
2014	1	0
2015	10	2
2016	3	1
Total	19	5

=International goals=

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
class="wikitable" style=font-size:100%
1	11 October 2008	Thanh Long Sports Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	{{fbw\|PHI}}	align=center\|4–0	align=center\|7–0	2008 AFF Women's Championship
2	13 October 2008	Thanh Long Sports Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	{{fbw\|SIN}}	align=center\|3–0	align=center\|6–0	2008 AFF Women's Championship
3	9 March 2015	GSZ Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus	{{fbw\|FIN}}	align=center\|2–0	align=center\|3–0	2015 Cyprus Cup
4	11 March 2015	Paralimni Stadium, Paralimni, Cyprus	{{fbw\|CZE}}	align=center\|6–2	align=center\|6–2	2015 Cyprus Cup
5	2 March 2016	Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan	{{fbw\|VIE}}	align=center\|6–0	align=center\|9–0	2016 Olympics qualifying

Honours

=Club=

Canberra United

W-League Championship: 2011–12, 2014
W-League Premiership: 2011–12, 2013–14

Portland Thorns

NWSL Championship: 2017

=International=

Australia

=Individual=

Dubbo Sportsperson of the Year: 2010
W-League Player of the Grand Final: 2015
W-League Goal of the Year: 2014
Julie Dolan Medal: 2015–16

References

External links

[http://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/player/ashleigh-sykes/inchcnwom2c71mof0hxq9i9x2 Ashleigh Sykes profile] FootballAustralia.com.au
{{soccerway|ashleigh-sykes/68707}}
{{FIFA player|326975|Ashleigh Sykes}}

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