Wikipedia

Holly McNamara

Holly Christina McNamara (/ˌmæk.nəˈmɑːr.ə/ MAK-nə-MAHR-ə;[3] born 23 January 2003) is an Australian soccer player who is a forward for Melbourne City in the A-League Women and the Australia women's national soccer team (Matildas).[4]

Holly McNamara
Personal information
Full name Holly Christina McNamara
Date of birth (2003-01-23) 23 January 2003 (age 23)[1]
Place of birth Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)[2]
Position Forward
Team information
Current team
 Melbourne City
Number 9
Youth career
Ermington United
2017–2021 FNSW Institute
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Melbourne City 54 (38)
2022–2023 APIA Leichhardt 17 (10)
International career‡
2018 Australia U20 2 (1)
2022– Australia 19 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 30 April 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 30 April 2026

Early and personal life

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McNamara was born in 2003 in Sydney, New South Wales.[5][6] She played as a junior for Ermington United in the Granville & Districts Soccer Football Association.[5] During 2016 she played for Blacktown Spartans under-13 alongside future national teammates, Bryleeh Henry and Jessika Nash.[7]

Club career

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From 2017 to 2021 McNamara played for Football NSW Institute (FNSW Institute) in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women's (NPL NSW Women).[5][8] During 2018 she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) for the first time.[9][10][11] Her subsequent recovery was followed by the cancellation of remainder of NPL NSW Women's 2021 matches after August due to COVID-19 restrictions.[10][11][12]

In December 2021, McNamara made her A-League Women debut for Melbourne City in a 1–0 win over Canberra United, playing the full 90 minutes and scoring the game's only goal.[13][14] In February 2022, McNamara had another ruptured ACL, in a match against Sydney FC, which shortened her debut season to eight appearances and four goals provided.[1][15] Her team finished runners-up to the Premiers, Sydney and lost the Preliminary Final 1–3 against cross-town rivals, Melbourne Victory FC.[16] Despite her abbreviated season McNamara was awarded A-League Women Young Footballer of the Year at the Dolan Warren Awards in May 2022.[17][18] During the 2022 A-League off-season she joined APIA Leichhardt in the NPL NSW Women.[5] She returned from injury in March 2023, during City's 2022–23 season, and appeared six times for one goal.[1] Once again she played for APIA Leichhardt during A-League 2023 off-season.[5]

During the 2023–24 season for Melbourne City, McNamara only played five matches kicking six goals,[1] before she acquired her third ACL injury.[19] This occurred on 19 November 2023, during her match against Newcastle Jets, where she had scored two goals.[20] Melbourne City continued the season to become Premiers,[21] and runners-up to Champions, Sydney, in the grand final in May 2024.[22] McNamara returned to the squad in the 2024–25 season where she scored 15 goals in 17 appearances.[1] Her tally included two hat-tricks: the first was against Western United on 4 February 2025,[23] and the second against Adelaide United on 16 March.[24] As the league's leading goalscorer for the season she was awarded the Golden Boot.[25][26]

Melbourne City were Premiers again, but were eliminated in the two-leg semifinals against Central Coast Mariners, who were eventual Champions.[27] As Premiers Melbourne City qualified for the inaugural AFC Women's Champions League joining at the 2024-25 group stage in Group B. After winning all three group matches they advanced to quarter-finals where they won 3–0 against Taichung Blue Whale with McNamara scoring the third goal from the penalty spot.[28] In the final they finished runners-up by losing a penalty shoot-out 4–5 against Wuhan Jiangda after extra time being drawn 1–1.[29]

International career

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In June–July 2018, McNamara represented Australia women's national under-20 soccer team (Young Matildas) at the AFF Women's Championship, held in Indonesia.[30] They competed against senior ASEAN teams. She debuted as a defender in their 9–0 defeat of Timor-Leste and kicked her first goal for the team in a 12–0 victory against Cambodia.[31][32] The Young Matildas reached the final, but lost 2–3 against Thailand.[33] In August of that year she joined the Australia women's national under-17 soccer team (Junior Matildas) training camp ahead of their 2019 AFC U-16 Women's Championship qualification campaign, however she tore her ACL during a practice match before making her debut.[34][10]

After an impactful early five games for Melbourne City FC, McNamara was called up for the Australia women's national soccer team (Matildas) for the first time. She participated in a training camp ahead of the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup,[35] and on 17 January 2022, McNamara was selected for the tournament squad along with Cortnee Vine.[36] She debuted for Australia in their opening match, an 18–0 defeat of Indonesia.[37] The Matildas were eliminated in the quarterfinal's 0–1 loss against South Korea.[38]

McNamara was recalled to the Matildas squad in April 2023 ahead of two friendlies against Scotland and England, in London.[39][40] However, she was "medically withdrawn" and returned to Australia before the first match.[41] She was named to the Matildas squad on 18 November 2023 for two international friendly matches against Canada.[42] Days before she was set to link up with the squad, McNamara ruptured her ACL for the third time (see above).[43][44]

On 4 February 2025, McNamara was named in the Matildas squad for the SheBelieves Cup in United States.[45][46] After 1,119 days, McNamara made her return to the Matildas against Japan, coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute.[47] She scored her first international goal for the Matildas against Slovenia in Perth on 26 June 2025.[48]

International goals

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No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.26 June 2025HBF Park, Perth, Australia Slovenia2–03–0Friendly
2.11 April 2026Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya Malawi4–05–02026 FIFA Series

Honours

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Melbourne City

Runners-up: 2021–22[16]
  • A-League Women: Championship: 2026
Runners-up: 2024[22]
Runners-up: 2024–25[49]

Australia U20

Runners-up: (2018)[33]

Australia

Runners-up: 2026

Individual

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Holly McNamara – Soccerway". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup Squad Lists" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  3. ↑ "Instagram". aleagues. 27 September 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "McNamara signed for Melbourne City". The Inner Sanctum. 18 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ninja A-League 2024/25 Season Guide" (PDF). A-Leagues Media Centre. November 2024. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Holly Christina Mcnamara Stats - Goals, xG, Assists & Career Stats". FootyStats. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  7. ↑ Seemampillai, Janakan (4 February 2022). "From junior Spartans to Matildas: Henry, McNamara and Nash go from their own backyard to the world stage". theroar.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ Lordanic, Marissa (17 January 2022). "McNamara the 18 year-old Matildas bolter". Optus Sport. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  9. ↑ Vinall, Marnie (19 March 2025). "Melbourne City star and Matildas fan favourite talks 'huge emotional toll' of repeated ACLs". ABC News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. 1 2 3 Harrington, Anna (8 January 2022). "McNamara making up for lost time". 7 News. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  11. 1 2 Woods, Julia (23 February 2022). "Game Changers Pt II - Brought to you by Commonwealth Bank". Matildas. Archived from the original on 14 April 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ↑ "Football NSW Cancel 2021 National Premier Leagues Season". Football NSW. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  13. ↑ "W-League squad bolstered by trio of new signings". Melbourne City. 17 September 2021. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  14. ↑ "McNamara scores on debut for Melbourne City". Melbourne City. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  15. ↑ Harrington, Anna (22 February 2022). "Matildas' McNamara ACL blow confirmed". The Women's Game. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  16. 1 2 Yap, Kieran (20 March 2022). "Key Takeaways: Melbourne City vs Melbourne Victory A-League Women Preliminary Final". Kick360. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ↑ Smithies, Tom (1 June 2023). "Every Winner: Goodwin and Chidiac take top honours at Dolan Warren Awards". Keep Up.
  18. 1 2 Woods, Julia (27 May 2022). "Holly McNamara awarded the Young Footballer of the Year at the Dolan Warren Awards". MyFootball. Football Australia. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  19. ↑ "Holly McNamara sustains long-term injury". My Football. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ↑ "Newcastle Jets vs Melbourne City - 19 Nov 2023". A-League Women. 19 November 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  21. ↑ Lewis, Samantha (4 May 2024). "Live updates: A-League Women premiers Melbourne City take on holders Sydney FC in grand final". ABC News. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. 1 2 3 Lewis, Samantha (4 May 2024). "Sydney FC claim A-League Women championship after defeat of Melbourne City". ABC News. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  23. ↑ Pisani, Sacha (5 February 2025). "Breathtaking 38-minute hat-trick helps five-star Melbourne City create history". A-Leagues. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  24. ↑ Comito, Matt (16 March 2025). "History-makers! Matildas star's hat-trick helps City claim unprecedented A-Leagues record". A-Leagues. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  25. ↑ Pisani, Sacha (21 April 2025). "Melbourne City superstar Holly McNamara wins Ninja A-League Golden Boot". A-Leagues. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  26. ↑ "OUR GOLDEN GIRL: McNamara takes out A-League Women's Golden Boot". Melbourne City. 20 April 2025. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  27. 1 2 "Central Coast Mariners shock Melbourne City to advance to A-League Women grand final". ABC News. Australian Associated Press (AAP). 11 May 2025. Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ↑ "AFC Women's Champions League | MELBOURNE CITY FC - Taichung Blue Whale". the-afc.com. 23 March 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  29. ↑ "AFC Women's Champions League | MELBOURNE CITY FC - Wuhan Jiangda Women's FC". the-afc.com. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  30. ↑ "Five Westfield Matildas in Young Matildas squad for 2018 AFF Women's Championship". Football Federation Australia. 20 June 2018.
  31. ↑ "M10.pdf" (PDF). aseanfootball.org. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  32. ↑ "M13.pdf" (PDF). aseanfootball.org. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  33. 1 2 "M24.pdf" (PDF). aseanfootball.org. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  34. ↑ TWG staff (6 August 2018). "Junior Matildas players selected for first ever camp". The Women's Game - Australia's Home of Women's Sport News. Archived from the original on 24 December 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  35. ↑ "Matildas announce initial selections for Asian Cup". Matildas. Football Australia. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  36. ↑ "McNamara and Vine added to Asian Cup Squad". Matildas. Football Australia. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  37. ↑ Bullock, Kristian (22 January 2022). "WATCH: Records shattered as Commbank Matildas open Asian Cup campaign in style". Matildas. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  38. ↑ Bullock, Kristian (10 January 2022). "Commbank Matildas bow out of AFC Women's Asian Cup after narrow defeat to South Korea". Matildas. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  39. ↑ Lewis, Samantha (7 April 2023). "Ellie Carpenter and Holly McNamara return to Matildas squad for Scotland and England friendlies". ABC News. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  40. ↑ "LOCKED IN: CommBank Matildas confirm squad for April Internationals". Matildas. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  41. ↑ Rugari, Vince (11 April 2023). "Women's World Cup 2023: Depleted Matildas to face England Lionesses in crucial warm up match". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  42. ↑ "Gustavsson names 23-player CommBank Matildas squad to close out 2023 international season". Matildas. Football Australia. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  43. ↑ "Holly McNamara sustains long-term injury". Matildas. Football Australia. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  44. ↑ "Sam sidelined: Kerr joins Matildas' crowded casualty ward for Canada clashes after foot injury flares up". theroard.com.au. 27 November 2023. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  45. ↑ "Matildas name 23-player squad, including Mary Fowler, for SheBelieves Cup". ABC News. Australian Associated Press (AAP). 4 February 2025. Archived from the original on 4 February 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  46. ↑ "CALLED UP: McNamara bound for SheBelieves Cup with Matildas". Melbourne City FC. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  47. ↑ "CommBank Matildas suffer 4-0 defeat against Japan in SheBelieves Cup opener". Matildas. Football Australia. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  48. ↑ "WATCH: Montemurro era off to winning start with 3-0 win against Slovenia". Matildas. Football Australia. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  49. ↑ "Wuhan Jiangda take title with shootout win". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
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