Spring Hills captain Aleks Sinclair has defied time to age like fine wine, claiming her first NPLW Gold Medal at 37 at the 2025 Victorian Football Gala.
The veteran midfielder shared the honour with Bulleen Lions’ 18-year-old prodigy Danella Butrus, after both players received 27 votes at the conclusion of the count.
In her acceptance speech, Sinclair called it “an absolute honour” to claim the award and share it with Danella, a player she has watched grow up and now dominate the league.
“I just want to say thank you to my club, it has been a long time in the making,” she said.
Sinclair is no stranger to silverware, having won the NPLW Players’ Player in 2018 and 2019, the 2019 Grand Final Best on Ground Medal, five consecutive Nike FC Cups, and three NPLW Championships with the once-powerful Calder United.
“I remember standing on stage in 2019 to receive my last award, then going on to play the NPLW Championship Grand Final dedicated to my late father,” she recalled.
“I never thought I’d see the day where I would stand on stage to receive an award again. I just want to thank the football community for giving me this pleasure in front of a crowd and a community who supported me at one of the hardest times in my life.”
After her success with Calder United, Sinclair became an inaugural signing for Western United in the 2022–23 A-League Women’s season, making eight appearances for the club.
In 2024, she returned to the Victorian system with Spring Hills in the VPLW, helping Tom Markovski’s side earn promotion to the NPLW in 2025 and fight off relegation in their first top-flight season.
“And I just want to thank my amazing club, my committee, my coaches for giving me a home again,” Sinclair said.
“Football has been tough for all of us over the years, but one thing I’ve learnt is to find enjoyment in the game and keep going for as long as you can.”
Age is no barrier, as Bulleen Lions’ rising star Dani Butrus and your favourite player’s favourite player, Aleks Sinclair of Spring Hills, both finished on 27 votes to claim the 2025 NPLW Gold Medal. 🏅 pic.twitter.com/16Hc78x36c
— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) September 23, 2025
Sinclair was also named Female Football Week Player of the Week in July, and on Tuesday, September 23, she was named captain of the 2025 NPLW Team of the Season, announced via NPL social channels.
At the conclusion of the 2025 NPLW season, Sinclair has played 115 matches and scored 65 goals and if this season is any indication, she’s far from finished.