I'm not at all ashamed to admit that I'm a recent convert to football via the Matilda's. Fair to say men's football left me vaguely disinterested even though I did try to watch a World Cup once. But the Matilda's - well they were a revelation. Skilled at football (still don't understand any of the rules), but their on and off field behaviour, team spirit, demeanour was what really appealed. They have made me laugh, cheer loudly and gasp, and all at a game of football. I even know many of their names - Mackenzie Arnold, Courtnee Vine and Claire Polkinghorne are as recognisable now as Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr and Alana Kennedy, and so many more of these outstanding women.
Which made reading Macca a doddle when it came to working out who she was talking about - surprised myself how many of those names I just knew, shamefully how little of their background pathways through to the Matilda's I knew at the same time.
This was a lovely read, finding out about Macca's background and her path into football, how her determination overcame many obstacles and the shameful lack of support for female athletes like her, and other's with such outstanding capability there was. And the way that a few very good coaches and mentors steered her through the cruelty of inconsistent behaviour and that lack of support.
Well worth reading - let's hope more of the team get the chance and are interested in explaining their pathways as well. In the meantime I've just put a hold on THE MATILDA EFFECT by Fiona Crawford. Books about sport for goodness sake ... what's next!
Macca
Matildas fever swept across the country during the 2023 World Cup campaign, filling stadiums beyond capacity, uniting communities and inspiring the next generation of world-class athletes. In one of the iconic ‘where-were-you-when’ moments in Australian sports history, the Matildas faced down the French in an epic penalty shootout that would propel them through to the semifinals for the first time ever. Standing on the collective brilliance of her teammates, it was Macca’s courage, leadership, steel-eyed focus and heroics in front of goal that won the hearts of a nation. We’ll never forget the outstretched arms, the roar of victory, green and gold flooding the pitch.
But heroes don’t just fall from the sky. Storybook endings often belie a lifetime’s work, and the making of Mackenzie Arnold began well before that electric night in August.
Macca’s story is one of dizzying heights and hard-won lessons. Whether it’s facing down her doubts and fears to find the courage to be her truest self on and off the pitch; using her temporary setbacks to inspire others; or shouldering the hopes of a nation to deliver moments that transcend sport, Mackenzie Arnold has packed a lot into her life so far.
Honest, funny, brave and inspired, Macca shares her story here for the first the family and first-believers who supported and challenged her from the beginning; the coaches and mentors who pushed her beyond her comfort zone and provided the blueprint of a champion; the rivals and teammates who transformed the Matildas into a global force to be reckoned with.
And for her next act? Heroics and storybook endings are best left unscripted, but if Mackenzie Arnold has taught us one thing it’s Don’t blink.
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