Create an experience with Shay Evans

Young Matildas Vice-Captain Shay Evans hails from the small remote community of Borroloola, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory. Shay spent her early years playing football - barefoot in 40-degree temperatures - every day after school. It wasn’t until she was awarded the John Moriarty Scholarship for Football in 2014 and relocated 3000km from home to Sydney to attend Westfield Sports High School that she even owned a pair of football boots. 

In 2018, at just 17 years of age, Shay made her debut for Sydney FC in the W-League. The reception she received in coming on was a moment she will never forget. In that same year Shay was selected for the Young Matildas, scoring her first international goal on debut. 

Matildas Head Coach Alen Stajcic identified Shay as a future talent when she was just 13 years of age. Together with the Moriarty Foundation, Stajcic and John Moriarty, from Borroloola and Australia’s first Indigenous-Australian footballer, they crafted a plan for Shay to relocate to Sydney to further her development and ambition in football. Says Stajcic of Evans: “She is a natural striker, strong and aggressive, a great mover, well balanced, good speed, and a good dribbler of the ball.” 

Evans is part of the Future Matildas program and on the verge of national selection. Shay graduated from Westfield Sports High School in 2019 and has signed a full professional contract with Sydney FC to play in the W-League in 2019/20. She has since scored her maiden goal against Melbourne Victory.