Born in Adelaide in 1971, Sharon Black represented Australia over a distinguished 15-year international career and remains one of the Matildas’ most respected pioneers.
Between 1991 and 2002, Black earned 62 full international caps for Australia, scoring 20 goals. She featured prominently at both the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, showcasing her technical quality and leadership on the world stage.
A trailblazer for Australian women abroad, Black was one of the first Australians to play in a European club championship final — the 2003 UEFA Women’s Cup Final with Fortuna Hjørring in Denmark. Domestically, she starred for West Torrens Birkalla, Sturt Marion, and later Flinders United, winning multiple league and cup titles, and in 1998 became the inaugural recipient of the Julie Dolan Medal as the best player in Australia’s national competition.
Following her playing career, Black has contributed more than three decades of service to football in South Australia through coaching, youth development, and mentoring. She was inducted into the Football South Australia Hall of Champions in 2012 and continues to be an influential figure in the women’s game.
Sharon Black exemplifies the growth and professionalism of Australian women’s football. She broke new ground for Australian players overseas, achieved sustained excellence at the national level, and has dedicated her life to developing future generations through coaching and mentorship.
