The PFA Harry Kewell Medal is an annual award given for outstanding performance by an under-23 player playing in the A-League or overseas-based Australian. The award has been presented since 2008–09, and the winner is chosen by a vote amongst the members of the players' trade union, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA). It is named after former Australian star Harry Kewell, who represented Australia between 1996 and 2012, and was noted for his achievements from a young age. The first winner of the award was Perth Glory winger Nikita Rukavytsya. The most recent winner is Jordan Bos.
As of 2020, only Mathew Ryan has won the award on more than one occasion. Three players from outside of Australia, Marco Rojas, Liberato Cacace and Alex Paulsen (all from New Zealand), have won the award. Although they have their own dedicated award, players aged 23 or under at the start of the season remain eligible to win the PFA Men's Footballer of the Year award, and on one occasion the same player has won both awards for a season.
Winners The award has been presented on 13 occasions as of 2020, with 11 different winners. YearPlayerClubNotes 2008–09 Nikita Rukavytsya Perth Glory 2009–10 Mitch Langerak Melbourne Victory First goalkeeper to win the award 2010–11 Robbie Kruse Melbourne Victory 2011–12 Mathew Ryan Central Coast Mariners 2012–13 Marco Rojas Melbourne Victory First winner from outside Australia 2013–14 Mathew Ryan Club Brugge First player to win the award twiceFirst player to win the award playing for a non-A-League club 2014–15 Mathew Ryan Club Brugge First player to win the award three timesFirst player to win the award in consecutive seasons 2015–16 Jamie Maclaren Brisbane Roar 2016–17 Alex Gersbach Rosenborg BK 2017–18 Daniel Arzani Melbourne City 2018–19 Chris Ikonomidis Perth Glory 2019–20 Liberato Cacace Wellington Phoenix 2020–21 Connor Metcalfe Melbourne City 2021–22 Denis Genreau Toulouse 2022–23 Jordan Bos Melbourne City 2023–24 Alex Paulsen Wellington Phoenix2024–25 Nicolas Milanovic Western Sydney Wanderers2025–26 Lucas Herrington Brisbane Roar Colorado Rapids
Breakdown of winners
By country CountryNumber of winsWinning years Australia 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22 2022–23, 2024–25, 2025–26 New Zealand 2012–13, 2019–20, 2023–24
By club ClubNumber of winsWinning years Melbourne City 2017–18, 2020–21, 2022–23 Melbourne Victory 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13 Brisbane Roar 2015–16, 2025–26 Club Brugge 2013–14, 2014–15 Perth Glory 2008–09, 2018–19 Wellington Phoenix 2019–20, 2023–24 Central Coast Mariners 2011–12 Colorado Rapids 2025–26 Rosenborg 2016–17 Toulouse 2021–22 Western Sydney Wanderers 2024–25
See also PFA Footballer of the Year Awards
References
External links PFA official website A-League official website