Sydney FC legend Teresa Polias was taken aback after the club she served faithfully for eleven years inducted her into their Hall of Fame, becoming the first woman to receive such an honour.
The former midfielder and captain was one of two inductees at this year’s Sky Blue Ball, being placed in alongside men’s veteran centre half and captain Alex Wilkinson, who recently announced his retirement from professional football.
Ms Polias was extremely grateful to be put in, admitting that she did not expect it at all.
“I was shocked to be honest. I was overcome with emotion,” the Sydney legend told Neos Kosmos.
“It was very surreal. I didn’t know about it on the night. It was a huge, huge surprise and I am incredibly honoured. Sydney FC has a very special place in my heart. I’ve spent so many years at the club, grew up as a person there, really, and so it was such a big honour and I was so humbled by it.”
The club legend, who also played 11 times for Australia, expressed appreciation in being the first female to make it in.
“It has that special twist to it, being the first woman inducted into Sydney FC’s Hall of Fame. It is so meaningful to me because there have been so many amazing women that came before me as well. Everyone I played with, they were all amazing, and I am sure there are going to be many more to come to be quite honest,” she said.
“To be the first, though, is a tremendous honour for my family, for myself, for my daughter to see as well…it’s not just my honour, it’s for everyone around me that’s helped me along the way.”
Ms Polias left a huge mark in the club’s history during her eleven-year stay (2010-2021), becoming their record appearance maker with 145 games, winning two W-League championships (2012/13 and 2018/19) and winning two premierships in both her first and last season with the club (2010/11 and 2020/21).
“I am proud of every achievement, to be honest, but I guess having not been in the game for a little while, I just wasn’t expecting it at all. I thought all those awards days were over,” Ms Polias told Neos Kosmos with a loud chuckle.
“Along came this one out of the blue and it’s up there. It’s hard to rank them into your best or most favourite, but this is definitely up there because it recognises your commitment to the club and your achievements with the club as well.
Ms Polias is among a list of esteemed individuals and footballing icons, with players like Alessandro Del Piero, Dwight Yorke, and Alex Brosque to name a few.
“The other eleven inductees in the Hall of Fame are all incredible as well so I am truly appreciative to be alongside them in that Hall of Fame,” she said.
The retired midfielder spoke fondly about her Greek upbringing, growing up with a Piraeus-born mother (who came by boat as a two-year-old) and an Australian-born father (whose parents were from Symi), both of whom supported hers as well as her four siblings’ dreams and ambitions.
“We kept a lot of our Greek heritage. We evolved as well, obviously being in Australia. I loved growing up with our culture. It was nice to be part of a big family and my parents were amazing. They supported all of us kids in whatever we wanted to do. In my family, we’ve all got a lot of different jobs and aspirations that they wholeheartedly supported from when we were young.”
