Sydney FC midfielder Luke Brattan has today been revealed as the winner of the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) 2020 Community Medal, for his contribution to the Leukemia Foundation.
Sydney FC midfielder Luke Brattan has today been revealed as the winner of the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) 2020 Community Medal, for his contribution to the Leukaemia Foundation.
With the help of the Sky Blues players, staff and Members, Brattan raised $30,000 for the national charity to support his 23-year-old sister Holli-Mia, who was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukaemia, through the World’s Greatest Shave initiative.
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But while experiencing significant challenges off the pitch, Brattan was able to earn huge reward on the pitch, claiming a Premiers Plate and A-League Championship double and winning the club’s Player of the Year award.
“It has been a tough year,” Brattan said.
“There have been a couple of big things that have happened off the field that have affected my family.
“From the outside looking in, you couldn’t really tell what was going on behind the scenes because I tried to work as hard as I could on the field and do all the right things and hopefully just make my family proud.
“My teammates were huge; a lot of them donated a lot of money to the cause as well as a lot of players around the league – which was pretty incredible.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for donating and everyone that was involved. Hopefully, they understand how big a deal it is to me.”
Sydney FC Captain & PFA President, Alex Wilkinson, said his teammate had demonstrated immense courage and resilience to perform consistently at a high level in the A-League, while supporting his family outside of football.
“What Bratts has managed to achieve on and off the field has been absolutely inspiring,” Wilkinson said.
“He has been an absolute professional and one of the league’s leading midfielders, all while facing a really challenging and emotional situation with his loved ones.
“Bratts is fully deserving of this award and we hope he continues to be able to help and support not just his sister, but thousands of other Australians who are struggling, while inspiring other footballers to give back to their communities.”
The PFA Community Medal recognises the outstanding contribution PFA members are making within their communities and reflects the PFA’s commitment to ensuring football creates positive social impact.
Brattan, who will receive a grant of a further $2,500 to donate to the Leukaemia Foundation, was nominated by the PFA Executive alongside Sydney FC defender Ally Green, for her community work with the Play For Lives and Gotcha 4 Life initiatives during the Covid impact.
Newcastle Jets forward Kaine Sheppard and Matilda Alex Chidiac made up the final four.
The nominees for the 2020 PFA Community Medal were voted on by all PFA members.
