Holly Christina McNamara (born 23 January 2003) is an Australian soccer player who plays for Melbourne City in the A-League Women and the Australia women's national soccer team (the Matildas).[2]

Holly McNamara
Personal information
Full name Holly McNamara[1]
Date of birth (2003-01-23) 23 January 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Australia
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Melbourne City
Number 9
Youth career
Football NSW-FNSW Institute
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Melbourne City 19 (11)
International career
2018 Australia U17 0 (0)
2022– Australia 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 January 2022

Early and personal life

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McNamara grew up in New South Wales and played for FNSW Institute in New South Wales.[3]

Contrary to popular belief, she is not related to former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.

Club career

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In December 2021, McNamara made her A-League Women debut for Melbourne City in a 1–0 win over Canberra United, starting the match and playing the full 90 minutes, along with scoring the game's only goal.[4] In February, McNamara suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury in a match against Sydney FC, which ended her debut season.[5]

International career

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In 2018, McNamara was a part of the Junior Matildas team ahead of their 2019 AFC U-16 Women's Championship qualification campaign, however she tore her ACL before she had the chance to make her debut for the side.[6]

After an impactful first five games for Melbourne City FC in the A-League Women, McNamara was called up by the Matildas for the first time. Participating in a training camp ahead of the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup.[7] On January 17, McNamara was finalised into the official squad for the tournament along with Cortnee Vine.[8] McNamara was recalled to the Matildas squad on 18 November 2023 for two international friendly matches against Canada to be played in December.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Holly McNamara – Soccerway". Soccerway. Perform Group. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  2. ^ "McNamara signed for Melbourne City". The Inner Sanctum. 18 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  3. ^ Lordanic, Marissa (17 January 2022). "McNamara the 18 year-old Matildas bolter". Optus Sport. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  4. ^ "McNamara scores on debut for Melbourne City". Melbourne City. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  5. ^ Harrington, Anna (22 February 2022). "Matildas' McNamara ACL blow confirmed". The Women's Game. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  6. ^ "McNamara making up for lost time". 7 News. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Matildas announce initial selections for Asian Cup". Matildas.com.au. Football Australia. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  8. ^ "McNamara and Vine added to Asian Cup Squad". Matildas.com.au. Football Australia. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Gustavsson names 23-player CommBank Matildas squad to close out 2023 international season". Matildas. Football Australia. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.