Mostyn Medal
Recognising Excellence in Women’s Football
The Mostyn Medal recognises the best and fairest player in AFL Sydney’s Women’s Premier Division. Awarded through votes cast by the field umpires, it honours outstanding individual performance and fair play across the home-and-away season. Unlike a club Best & Fairest award, the Mostyn Medal recognises a player’s achievements across the entire competition.
From 2027, the medal will continue as the Senior Women’s Best & Fairest award in the Sydney Football League, carrying its history into the next chapter of premier-level Australian Rules Football in New South Wales.
Named in Honour of Sam Mostyn
The medal is named after Sam Mostyn, who became the first woman appointed to the AFL Commission in 2005, serving until 2016. During that time, she championed greater opportunities for women and girls throughout football and played an important role in developing the elite women’s pathway that led to the establishment of the AFLW competition.
Her contribution extended beyond the national competition. Mostyn has been a longstanding supporter of community football in New South Wales and the ACT, advocating for women’s participation throughout the football industry. Naming the medal in her honour recognises both that contribution and the importance of creating opportunities for women at every level of the game.
History of the Award
AFL Sydney’s published honour roll records the women’s competition Best & Fairest winners from 2012, beginning with Courtney Gum of UNSW/ES Stingrays. The award formally adopted the Mostyn Medal name in 2015, when it recognised the leading player in what was then the Women’s Division One competition. Amanda Farrugia of Macquarie University was the first recipient under the Mostyn Medal name.
How the Medal Is Awarded
At the completion of each home-and-away match, the field umpires award three votes to the best player, two votes to the second-best player and one vote to the third-best player. Votes accumulate throughout the season, with the highest-polling eligible player receiving the medal. Finals performances do not contribute to this count. The medal is presented as part of the Phelan and Mostyn Medal awards night, bringing together clubs, players, officials and volunteers to recognise achievements across Sydney football.
A New Chapter in the Sydney Football League
The introduction of the Sydney Football League in 2027 will see the Mostyn Medal remain associated with the leading senior women’s competition. Alongside the Phelan Medal for Senior Men, it will continue to recognise individual excellence as the competition evolves.
For Pennant Hills, this next chapter includes licences for both Senior Women’s and Under 20 Women’s teams. The Club’s entry into the SFL strengthens its commitment to developing female footballers and providing opportunities to progress from youth football into senior competition. The Mostyn Medal remains an individual honour within that senior pathway, recognising achievement beyond a player’s own club.
