Football Queensland will honour two of Queensland’s most decorated footballers with the introduction of the Matt McKay Medal and Clare Polkinghorne Medal, to be awarded to the NPL Queensland Players of the Year from 2026. 

The inaugural Matt McKay Medal and Clare Polkinghorne Medal will be presented at the 2026 Queensland Football Gala at Brisbane City Hall on Saturday, 10 October in recognition of two of the most extraordinary careers in Queensland football history. 

“Football Queensland is proud to name our state’s premier competition awards in honour of two of Queensland’s most loved footballers, Matt McKay and Clare Polkinghorne OAM,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said. 

“This honour is a fitting recognition of Matt and Clare’s outstanding contributions to football not only in Queensland but also on the national and international stage as they continue to inspire generations of boys and girls across the country to go after their dreams. 

“The introduction of the Matt McKay Medal and Clare Polkinghorne Medal from 2026 will ensure a deserved legacy for two icons of Queensland football as the highest individual honours in the NPL Men’s and NPL Women’s competitions are awarded in their name each year. 

“We invite the Queensland football community to join us in honouring Matt and Clare’s remarkable achievements and celebrating their lasting contributions to our beautiful game.” 

“I’m incredibly honoured to have this medal named after me. Queensland football has played such a significant role in my life and career, so to have an award recognising the NPL Men’s Player of the Year carry my name is very special,” McKay said. 

“While not growing up in the NPL era, I’m proud to have come through the Queensland football system and I hope the medal becomes something players are proud to strive for each year.” 

“It’s a great honour to have this medal in my name,” Polkinghorne said. 

“Queensland has a strong history of developing Matildas, young Matildas and inspiring young footballers and I have no doubt that we will continue to do so.” 

Click here to find out more about the 2026 Queensland Football Gala and to secure your spot. 

Matt McKay is one of the most celebrated figures in Queensland football history. He progressed through the Queensland Academy of Sport and starred for Brisbane Strikers in the National Soccer League (NSL) before becoming an inaugural member of Brisbane Roar’s A-League Men’s squad. Matt established himself as one of the greatest players in Brisbane Roar history, captaining the side to its first A-League Premiership and Championship in 2010-11 and helping deliver a second Premiership-Championship double in 2013-14. Matt also earned 59 caps for the Socceroos and played a key role in the nation’s triumphant 2015 AFC Asian Cup campaign, cementing his place as one of Queensland’s most loved national team players. 

Clare Polkinghorne OAM is the most-capped international player in Australian football history and widely regarded as a trailblazer for the women’s game. Born in Brisbane and playing for local clubs before joining the Queensland Academy of Sport, Clare became one of Brisbane Roar’s most iconic players as a two-time Premiership and two-time Championship winner in the A-League Women. On the international stage, she enjoyed a remarkable career spanning almost two decades where she made 169 appearances for the Matildas and represented the country at multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups, Olympic Games and AFC Women’s Asian Cups. Clare was officially presented with her Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) at Government House in August 2026 for her extraordinary contributions to football.