S. (Sonia) Gegenhuber
Hall of Champions as a member of Outstanding Performance
Sonia Gegenhuber is one of South Australia’s most decorated footballers, whose influence reached from Mannum’s junior boys’ teams to captaining the Matildas on the world stage. After excelling in South Australia with Adelaide College, Brahma Lodge, and Modbury Vista, Sonia became a regular in the state team, captaining the senior side in 1991 and catching national selectors’ attention. She went on to earn Matildas cap number 63, playing 75 matches for Australia between 1989 and 1999, including 60 full internationals and 17 as captain.
Sonia represented Australia at the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Sweden and in qualifying campaigns for three World Cups. She also led the team between 1997 and 1999, becoming the first South Australian to captain the Matildas. Her career highlights included national league success with the Queensland Academy of Sport, an AIS scholarship, and a stint in China’s Super League with Beijing Chengjian.
Beyond playing, Sonia worked as South Australia’s first development officer for women’s football, coaching junior state teams and later managing schoolgirls’ representative teams. Inducted into the FFA Hall of Fame, awarded the Australian Sports Medal, and named in the 1990s Team of the Decade, Sonia was also recognised as a Football SA Life Member in 2025. Her career reflects her pioneering role in advancing opportunities for women and inspiring the next generation of footballers.
