- Calls for Football Australia to do more to elevate national teams
Matildas veteran Tameka Yallop and her wife Kirsty, a former New Zealand international, have celebrated the arrival of their second daughter.
The couple revealed the news in a joint post on Friday, introducing their baby girl to the world.
‘On the 29.9.25 our baby girl was born, Nova Jay Yallop,’ they wrote. ‘Harley is loving being a big sister.’
The announcement drew an outpouring of support from the football community, with Sam Kerr, Clare Wheeler and Katrina Gorry among those who showed their love.
Goalkeeper Teagan Micah commented: ‘so happy for you all’, while striker Michelle Heyman added: ‘Love love love! So happy for you all.’
Long-time teammate Clare Polkinghorne and young gun Charlotte Grant also shared their congratulations.
Matildas star Tameka Yallop (right) welcomes the new addition to her family, baby Nova
Nova was welcomed to the world by a host of Matildas stars, including some that are also new mothers
Yallop has called for Football Australia to do more to cash in on the recent success of the Matildas and the Socceroos
The Yallops had announced back in April that they were expecting, writing at the time: ‘We have been hanging out to share this special news… Harley is bursting with excitement that she is going to be a big sister. Baby Yallop number two coming soon.’
Kirsty retired from football in 2018 and gave birth to the couple’s first daughter Harley in 2020.
Their latest arrival adds to the extended Matildas family, with Katrina Gorry welcoming daughter Harper in 2021 and, alongside partner Clara Markstedt, a son Koby in 2024.
Sam Kerr also became a mother earlier this year when her fiancée, Kristie Mewis, gave birth to their son.
The baby joy comes as Yallop continues to call for Australian football to make the most of the spotlight ahead of a packed calendar.
The Matildas will be among the favourites at next year’s Women’s Asian Cup on home soil, while the Socceroos have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
It comes as both Yallop and Socceroos captain Jackson Irvine have urged the game’s administrators not to waste the opportunity after what they see as missed chances to harness the Matildas’ home World Cup success in 2023 and the Socceroos’ memorable run in Qatar in 2022.
Research by FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has identified the Asian Cup as holding ‘substantial commercial potential,’ pointing to growing fan interest in women’s football across the region, but no established fully professional league.
The PFA continues to push for the semi-professional A-League Women to reach full professional standards.
‘Through the Matildas I have seen the potential of Australian football,’ Yallop said.
‘The opportunity of hosting the Women’s Asian Cup must not slip through our fingers.
It has to be harnessed to deliver a transformed women’s game in Australia where full-time professionalism and elite standards across all areas are embedded.’
