Former Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship holder and staff member, Melissa Barbieri, will be recognised with the PFA's highest individual honour, the Alex Tobin OAM Medal at tonight's 2023 Oakberry Players' Awards.
Affectionately known as "Bubs", her achievements on the pitch as a goal keeper make her one of Australia's finest ever players, but her impact has been much more than that. Bubs provided her voice, and elevated the voice of many others, to major areas of progress for female footballers in Australia.
She was central to the industrial action the Matildas took in 2015 and was a living example of the need for a world-class maternity policy when she balanced motherhood with elite football following the birth of her daughter, Holly, in 2013. Her unmatched ambition and drive to improve the game undoubtedly left it in a better place for the next generation.
Nerissa Byrne, VIS Performance Health Services Coordinator had the pleasure of working with Bubs during her time on scholarship at the VIS;
"As an athlete she was determined, focussed, and never let anything get in her way. Her dedication speaks volumes, and she was determined that women would get the same opportunities as men in the football arena, which challenged her to break the norm. She was a very grounded athlete, never got ahead of herself and had the utmost respect for teammates and colleagues. She always utilised and was grateful for the support she received from VIS."
Barbieri represented Australia in a Summer Olympics, four Women's World Cups, and was captain of the Matildas as they won the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup, the first senior Australian team to win an Asian continental competition. Overall, Barbieri earned 86 International Caps.
The Matildas' immortal joins giants of Australian football in Craig Johnston, Mark Viduka, Mark Schwarzer, Harry Kewell and Cheryl Salisbury as an Alex Tobin OAM Medal recipient.
The 43-year-old is the second female to have won the esteemed award and is thrilled to receive the accolade on the eve of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup;
"The Tobin Medal is probably the single most prestigious honour I've ever received," Barbieri said. "I'm truly humbled. Being alongside some of the greats of our game in this country, let alone being alongside Cheryl, my former captain, it's such a blessing."
The 2023 World Cup tournament kicks off on Thursday until Sunday 20 August, and will debut an expanded 32-team format, resulting in a full month of top-flight international football.
During the 32 days, 64 matches will be played in 10 stadiums across Australia and New Zealand.
There are 32 countries vying for the trophy - the largest number of competitors in the women's competition so far.
The first two games will take place in Auckland's Eden Park and Sydney's Stadium Australia, with the host countries versing Norway and Ireland respectively. The Matildas are in Group B alongside Ireland, Nigeria and Canada.
Current VIS athlete Steph Catley has been named in her third FIFA Women's World Cup squad, making nine appearances for Australia over their last two World Cup campaigns. Catley has been appointed vice-captain for the Matildas and will lead the team alongside captain and prolific forward Sam Kerr.
Watch all the action on Channel 7 and 7Plus.
