Sam Kerr to be awarded City of Perth’s highest honour

Soccer superstar Sam Kerr will become the first WA woman to be awarded the Keys to the City of Perth at a public celebration next month.

At a special council meeting on Tuesday afternoon, the City of Perth council voted to grant the Keys to the City to the WA-born international sporting star.

Kerr said she was humbled by the honour.

“To be given the keys to my home city where I grew up and spent most of my life is a great honour,” she said.

“There’s something very special about WA. I love coming home to this beautiful city.

“I’m truly humbled and proud to represent Western Australia.”

City of Perth lord mayor Basil Zempilas said Kerr was an inspiration to all young athletes and that this honour was not bestowed regularly.

“Sam is a role model athlete and an inspiration for people young and old – but especially young girls – and she is arguably Australia’s most decorated and popular athlete,” he said.

“I am delighted that in granting this award, she will become the first West Australian-born female recipient of the Keys to the City of Perth.

“I have spoken with her parents and they told me she would be thrilled and honoured to accept this award.”

Kerr will be the first recipient of the Keys to the City since Kerry Stokes’ recognition eight years ago.

The 28-year-old will be officially handed the keys at a public event on Friday, July 8 at Forrest Place.

Mr Zempilas said it would be a great opportunity for the public to see Kerr accept the award and “show her the appreciation she deserves”.

On Friday night, the City’s council house will be lit up with green and gold lights to honour Kerr and the Australian men’s soccer team, the Socceroos, who qualified for the 2022 Qatar World Cup on Thursday.

Kerr has received multiple awards since bursting onto the soccer scene as a 15-year-old in 2009.

Last month she received the Women’s Footballer of the Year as the best player in the FA Women’s Super League in England for her club side Chelsea.

She is Australia’s all-time leading scorer and in the past two seasons has won the treble with Chelsea while also winning the prestigious Golden Boot for scoring the most goals.

This year, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to football following her award as Young Australian of the Year in 2018.

Kerr is currently in Perth spending time with her family as she enjoys a break on her off-season.

Previous recipients of the City of Perth Key to the City include Nobel Prize winning scientists, Professor Barry Marshall and Dr Robin Warren, and the West Coast Eagles, on becoming the first team outside of Victoria to win the AFL premiership in 1992.