Foord named AFC Youth Player of the Year

Further recognition for a stellar 2011 | (Credit: Getty Images)

Matildas and Sydney FC defender Caitlin Foord has been awarded the 2011 AFC Youth Player of the Year awarded at last nights AFC Awards in Kuala Lumpur.  The award concludes a terrific 2011 for the 17 year old who has now been recognised at national, regional and international level as the leading young female footballer in the world. 

"It's fantastic to be one of the nominees first but ultimately winning the award makes me very happy," said Foord.

"Women's football in Australia is going up and it will continue to grow more in years to come."

Even more impressive is the short time it has taken for Foord to rise to international prominence.  This time last year the Illawarra Sports High student was still on the bench for Sydney FC in the W-League, coming on occassionally as a second half substitute.  However injuries to regular starters saw Foord take her place in the starting line-up and she has never looked back.

Her performances late in the W-League caught the eye of Matildas coach Tom Sermanni who, not only quickly enveloped her in the Matildas World Cup squad, but chose to start her against Marta in their opening group match.

"We didn't anticipate the quick rise that she's had both physically and football-wise," said Sermanni at the time. "You could have blown her over with a strong wind 12 months ago."

Previously a striker at youth representative level, Caitlin Foord has been converted successfully into a right back or winger at club and national level.  It's her pace, ball control and that natural attacking instinct that has the ability to unsettle and disturb opposition defences while allowing her to quell their strikers.

Former US team coach April Heinrichs, a member of FIFA's technical study group April Heinrichs sums up her potential best.

"She is a very dynamic player, both on the ball and off it, she played at the back and in midfield for Australia, so she is very adaptable."

"She has got the potential to become a prototype of a modern full-back who is strong in defence, but one who also thinks offensively.”