Australian Cap Number: 177
Debut: 24-June-2012 v New Zealand (in Wollongong) International Friendly (D1-1) age 18
Caps (Goals): 146 (7)
Major Tournaments: 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup (Vietnam), 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup (Canada), 2016 Olympic Games (Rio de Janeiro), 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup (Jordan), 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup (France), 2020 Olympic Games (Tokyo), 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup (India), 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup (Australia & New Zealand), 2024 Olympic Games (Paris) & AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ (Australia).
Current Club: Arsenal FC (England)
Previous Clubs: Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City, Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, Seattle Reign
Junior Club/Member Federation: East Bentleigh, SE Cougars / Football VIC
Catley has been named in her fourth AFC Women’s Asian Cup squad for the upcoming tournament, looking to bring her wealth of experience to the heart of defence.
Since making her debut in 2012, the defender has been a mainstay in the Australian defence, featuring at nine major tournaments for her country.
One of our two vice-captains, 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, unfazed 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 32 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.
Catley’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign was a remarkable one. After a late injury to skipper Sam Kerr on the eve of the opening game, Catley stepped into the captain role for Australia’s clash with the Republic of Ireland.
The defender scored a memorable penalty against Ireland, her first goal in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, to help secure Australia's win in the opening game and was named Player of the Match.
Catley’s leadership on and off the field has been gushed about by her teammates, with younger defenders, like Jamilla Rankin, talking about how much she has learnt from playing alongside her.
