Brisbane Roar and the Australian football community celebrates Clare Polkinghorne who is one of six distinguished members of the football family who have been recognised in the January 26 Honours List for their contributions to the sport and their communities.
Clare Polkinghorne OAM is one of Australian footballās most decorated players and a trailblazer for the CommBank Matildas.Ā Polkinghorneās illustrious career spanned 169 international appearances since her debut in 2006. A key figure in the CommBank Matildas’Ā historic 2010 AFC Women’s Asian CupĀ triumph, she was aĀ two-time Julie Dolan Medalist,Ā three-time Olympian, andĀ five-time FIFA Womenās World Cup participant. She was also named inĀ Football Australiaās Team of the Decade (2000ā2013).
Alongside Polkinghorne, the following members of the Australian football community were also honoured:
David Bertenshaw OAM (NSW), David Hewitson OAM (SA), William Henderson OAM (NSW), Ronald Lord OAM (NSW), Graham Mapri OAM (QLD).
Everyone at Brisbane Roar congratulates Clare and all the recipients on their well deserved recognition.
HONOURāS RECIPIENTS
- Clare Polkinghorne OAM (QLD): For service to football. Clare Polkinghorne OAM first appeared for the CommBank Matildas in 2006 (cap #140) and went on to represent Australia 169 times, scoring 16 goals and playing at 15 major international tournaments. Polkinghorne was selected for five senior FIFA tournaments (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) and three Olympic Games Football tournaments (2016, 2020, 2024). The defender also featured in five AFC Womenās Asian Cup tournaments (2008, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), including the 2010 title-winning side, and the 2006 FIFA U-20 Womenās World Cupā¢ in Russia. She was also named in the Football Australia Team of the Decade (2000-2013) and captained the CommBank Matildas on 28 occasions (fourth of all-time), including at the FIFA Womenās World Cup 2015ā¢ and Rio 2016ā¢ Olympics.