Background
Sykes grew up in Dubbo, New South Wales.
Sykes grew up in Dubbo, New South Wales.
She has a twin, Nicole, who is also a football player. Club
She made her debut in Canberra"s first match, coming on for Grace Gill in a loss to Newcastle Jets. On 30 November 2008, Sykes scored her first goal for the club - the equaliser in a two-all draw with Perth Glory.
Canberra went on to make the Grand Final only to lose to Brisbane Roar, with Sykes playing the second half.
A broken leg suffered in a challenge against Melbourne Victory saw Sykes miss much of the 2010-2011 West-League. However, Ashleigh was able to recover in time for the end of the season and finals in January 2011.
Despite this, Canberra were eliminated by Brisbane Roar in the semi-final after a penalty shootout. On 7 December 2014, Sykes scored from a volley into the top corner from outside the area against Perth Glory to ensure Canberra"s qualification for the finals of the 2014 West-League.
The goal was later awarded West-League Goal of the Season.
Sykes went on to score twice in the Grand Final against Perth to earn Canberra its second Championship, and was also given the Player of the Grand Final award. On 10 February 2016, Sykes joined Japanese 2nd division club AS Harima ALBION. International
Ashleigh represented Australia U-20 on numerous occasions, including at the 2009 AFC U-19 Women"s Championship. Sykes was first called up to the Australia senior side for the 2008 AFF Women"s Championship in Vietnam and made her debut in the opening match against Thailand, setting up a goal after replacing Tameka Butt early in the match.
Ashleigh was not called up to the national side again until 2013, when she was selected for two friendlies against China, along with sister Nicole.
Following the appointment of Alen Stajcic, Sykes was more regularly involved with the national side. She was called up for the 2014 AFC Women"s Asian Cup, and played in the group stage match against Jordan.
Australia finished second in the tournament after losing to Japan in the final. She was also called up for the 2015 Cyprus Cup, and scored in victories over Finland and Czechoslovakian Republic.
In May 2015, Sykes was called up for the 2015 Fédération internationale de football association Women"s World Cup in Canada.
She made her World Cup debut in the first match of the group stage, playing the final seven minutes in a loss to United States of America.
She played for Dubbo SASS, and was also CSSA Athletics champion in 2006. Sykes was presented with the club"s Rising Star award after a strong first season. Her late winner against Perth Glory saw Canberra qualify for the finals. Sykes was a member of the Canberra side which won the West-League Premiership after going through the entire 2011-2012 West-League undefeated. On 28 January 2012, Sykes scored Canberra"s second goal and set up another to secure a win in the 2012 West-League Grand Final, winning the club its first West-League Championship. Sykes was once again a key player in the Canberra side which won a second Premiership in the 2013-2014 West-League. She scored her first international goal in the next match, a win over Philippines. Sykes scored again in the next match - a 6–0 win over Singapore. Sykes played a full match in the final as Australia won the tournament.
