Brighton & Hove Albion’s Australian goalkeeper Steven Hall’s heroics at the AFC Under-20 Asian Cup has seen him awarded the 2025 Dylan Tombides Medal by Football Australia and the Professional Footballers Australia.
The medal honours the memory of the late Dylan Tombides, who tragically lost his battle with testicular cancer in 2014, aged 20, and is awarded to the player in Australia’s youth sides who “exemplifies the standards, commitment and courage” when wearing the green and gold.
The Young Socceroos won the contintental trophy thanks to a penalty shootout win over Saudi Arabia last year, where Hall played not long after losing his grandfather.
When he made the match winning save, he ran to the camera, where he pointed to his grandfather’s name on his glove.
“It is a huge honour to be the recipient of the 2025 Dylan Tombides Medal. It not only highlights the courage and character Dylan showed in his life, but also the importance of Dylan’s legacy through DT38 Australia and men’s health,” Hall said.
“I feel he showcased the passion he had for the game representing Australia and that is definitely a passion I share.
“To be awarded this medal at the age of 20 which is the age Dylan lost his courageous battle with testicular cancer, is humbling. I was 9 years of age when Dylan passed and whilst I would never have dreamed of winning this award, I was definitely dreaming of one day playing for Australia.
Steve Hall with his Dylan Tombides Award. Photo: Brighton & Hove Albion / Supplied
“The U-20 Asian Cup was a memorable competition, and I especially will never forget the penalty save in the final that clinched it for us. I felt the expectation of the country and my teammates in that moment but especially wanted to make my Grandad – who sadly passed away during the competition – proud of me. I know he was out there on the pitch with us that day.
“I truly thank the selectors for choosing me to be a part of the team that created history, the accolades of that competition were absolutely a team effort of not only the players but the staff as well.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank the PFA, Football Australia and DT38 Australia for this award. I would encourage anyone who is not familiar with Dylan’s story to look it up, he was certainly inspirational and his legacy is an important one.”
DT38 Australia, a charity that works in the football community and provides education around testicular cancer and the importance of self-examination, ensures his legacy lives on. Tombides was diagnosed in 2011 after a random drug test at the Under-17 FIFA World Cup, and fought the illness for three years. In that time, he made his debut for West Ham against Wigan in a League Cup fixture, an achievement testament to his courage through his battle.
“Congratulations to Steven Hall on being awarded the DT38 Medal, presented in memory of our hero Dylan Tombides,” Director of DT38 Australia Donna Giuffre said.
“This prestigious honour represents far more than footballing excellence — it recognises the courage, humility and unwavering passion that defined Dylan’s journey.
“Steven is a truly deserving recipient, embodying the character and resilience that sit at the heart of Dylan’s enduring legacy and the spirit he continues to inspire across our football community.”
Hall joins Louis D’Arrigo, Harry Souttar and Noah Botic as recipients of the award.
Football Australia Technical Director and Young Socceroos coach Trevor Morgan said “Steven embodies everything the Dylan Tombides Medal is about”.
“I’m so proud of what Steven was able to achieve during the U-20 Asian Cup last year and join a brilliant list of Australian players who have also won this award.
“To perform at such a level whilst managing such challenging personal circumstances speaks to his love of the game, courage, bravery and ability to focus, especially in the midst of a tournament where the stakes and the pressure is so high. This is exactly why he was the perfect candidate to receive this award.”