Chelsea's Schwarzer wins elite Australian award

Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer won the Alex Tobin Medal recognised as the Australian players' highest honour on Friday.

Schwarzer, 41, who has retired from international level but still plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League, is the sixth recipient of the medal.

He joins elite company from Australia's national team -- the Socceroos -- past and present, including the late Johnny Warren, Joe Marston, Craig Johnston, Mark Viduka and Frank Farina, who are all Tobin medallists.

The medal, presented to Schwarzer on Friday in Sydney by the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), is awarded to a player who has demonstrated leadership, achievement as a player, commitment to one's fellow professionals, and service and dedication to the game.

Schwarzer, who is Australia's most capped international player, said it was a great honour to receive the award.

"I feel extremely privileged to have joined some of the truly outstanding players," said Schwarzer, who made 109 appearances for his country and played in two World Cups.