Holly McNamara

Holly McNamara
Personal information
Full name Holly Christina McNamara
Date of birth (2003-01-23) 23 January 2003[1]
Place of birth Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Position(s)
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 45 (33)
2022–2023 APIA Leichhardt 17 (10)
International career‡
2018 Australia U20 2 (1)
2022– Australia 14 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 4 January 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 28 October 2025

Holly Christina McNamara (/ˌmæk.nəˈmɑːr.ə/ MAK-nə-MAHR-ə;[2] 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).[3]

Early and personal life

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

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]

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]

International career

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.[29] 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.[30][31] The Young Matildas reached the final, but lost 2–3 against Thailand.[32] 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.[33][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,[34] and on 17 January 2022, McNamara was selected for the tournament squad along with Cortnee Vine.[35] She debuted for Australia in their opening match, an 18–0 defeat of Indonesia.[36] The Matildas were eliminated in the quarterfinal's 0–1 loss against South Korea.[37]

McNamara was recalled to the Matildas squad in April 2023 ahead of two friendlies against Scotland and England, in London.[38][39] However, she was "medically withdrawn" and returned to Australia before the first match.[40] She was named to the Matildas squad on 18 November 2023 for two international friendly matches against Canada.[41] Days before she was set to link up with the squad, McNamara ruptured her ACL for the third time (see above).[42][43]

On 4 February 2025, McNamara was named in the Matildas squad for the SheBelieves Cup in United States.[44][45] After 1,119 days, McNamara made her return to the Matildas against Japan, coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute.[46] She scored her first international goal for the Matildas against Slovenia in Perth on 26 June 2025.[47]

International goals

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 26 June 2025 HBF Park, Perth, Australia  Slovenia 2–0 3–0 Friendly

Honours

Regional

Australia U20
Runners-up: (2018)[32]

Club

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

Club International

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Holly McNamara – Soccerway". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Instagram". aleagues. 27 September 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  3. ^ "McNamara signed for Melbourne City". The Inner Sanctum. 18 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e "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. ^ a b c Harrington, Anna (8 January 2022). "McNamara making up for lost time". 7 News. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  10. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b "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. ^ "Five Westfield Matildas in Young Matildas squad for 2018 AFF Women's Championship". Football Federation Australia. 20 June 2018.
  30. ^ "M10.pdf" (PDF). aseanfootball.org. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  31. ^ "M13.pdf" (PDF). aseanfootball.org. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  32. ^ a b "M24.pdf" (PDF). aseanfootball.org. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ "Matildas announce initial selections for Asian Cup". Matildas. Football Australia. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  35. ^ "McNamara and Vine added to Asian Cup Squad". Matildas. Football Australia. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  36. ^ Bullock, Kristian (22 January 2022). "WATCH: Records shattered as Commbank Matildas open Asian Cup campaign in style". Matildas. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ 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.
  39. ^ "LOCKED IN: CommBank Matildas confirm squad for April Internationals". Matildas. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ "Gustavsson names 23-player CommBank Matildas squad to close out 2023 international season". Matildas. Football Australia. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  42. ^ "Holly McNamara sustains long-term injury". Matildas. Football Australia. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  43. ^ "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.
  44. ^ "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.
  45. ^ "CALLED UP: McNamara bound for SheBelieves Cup with Matildas". Melbourne City FC. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  46. ^ "CommBank Matildas suffer 4-0 defeat against Japan in SheBelieves Cup opener". Matildas. Football Australia. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  47. ^ "WATCH: Montemurro era off to winning start with 3-0 win against Slovenia". Matildas. Football Australia. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  48. ^ "Wuhan Jiangda take title with shootout win". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
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