Michelle Heyman

Michelle Heyman is one of Australia’s most accomplished and respected football players. A highly decorated athlete, she is renowned for her achievements as a Matilda, an Olympian and a trail-blazer championing the rise of women’s football. 

Heyman made her debut for the Matilda’s in 2010 where she became known for her agility, strength and scoring prowess. During those nine years at an international level, she played 63 games, scoring a phenomenal 25 goals. She was an integral member of the Matilda’s at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada and the 2016 Olympic games in Rio.

Her career on home turf has been just as illustrious where Heyman is Australia’s leading goal scorer in the A-League Women’s with an almighty 111 goals to her name. She also holds the record for the most games played within the league, currently sitting at an impressive 181. Heyman has won two premierships with Canberra United (2012 & 2014), two prestigious Julie Dolan medals (2009 & 2021/22) and is the only footballer ever in the A-League to win three Golden Boots (2009, 20011/12 & 2023/24). 

Born and raised on the South Coast of NSW, her journey to becoming a professional athlete is characterised by dedication, talent and perseverance. She has played with teams in both Denmark and the USA, however her passion for Australian football continues to draw her back home. 

In 2019 Heyman retired from international football to give her body and mind a well needed break. She used that time to re-set her priorities. Commentating for the Women’s A-League allowed Heyman to see the game from another perspective, and in 2020, she realised she was not finished competing on an international level. She then set her sights on doing whatever it took to get back into the Australian squad. 

Known as the ‘comeback queen’, in 2024 she re-joined the Matilda’s where she quickly proved that age is just a number and scored five goals over two Olympic Qualifiers against Uzbekistan, helping the Matilda’s secure a ticket to Paris in July 2024. With the position as a forward, the future is looking bright with a promise of many more Heyman goals for the Matilda’s. 

Off the field, Heyman is respected for her leadership as a captain, her commitment to women’s football at a grassroots level and inclusivity within the sporting community. She has been a vocal advocate for gender equality and LGBTQIA+ rights in sport.

Heyman has a unique and rare perspective on the remarkable journey and rise of the Matilda’s, having witnessed it evolve over the past 14 years. She can speak first-hand, about the fundamental changes within the game for women, the phenomenal growth of the Matilda brand and the power of sell-out crowd for a women’s football match. 

In some ways, it feels like Heyman is only just beginning. Her infectious smile, coupled with her grace and ease when on the pitch, shows a women with exactly the right amount of confidence who will do whatever it takes for her country to win.