After a decorated 18-year career representing Australia, CommBank Matildas’ defender Clare Polkinghorne has confirmed she will retire from international duty at the conclusion of the 2024 FIFA women’s calendar.
A proud Queenslander, Polkinghorne (cap #140) made her debut on 19 June 2006 against China PR in Shanghai, going on to play – as it currently stands – 167 times for Australia, scoring 16 times and representing the CommBank Matildas at 15 major international tournaments.
The stalwart boasts a record unmatched with the 35-year-old the only Australian footballer – male or female – to be selected for five senior FIFA tournaments (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) and three Olympic Games Football tournaments (2016, 2020, 2024).
In addition, Polkinghorne played in five AFC Women’s Asian Cup tournaments (2008, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), including the 2010 title winning side, and the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ in Russia. She was also named in the Football Australia Team of the Decade (2000-2013). A natural born leader, Polkinghorne captained the Matildas on 28 occasions (fourth of all-time), including at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™ and Rio 2016™ Olympics.
On the Australian domestic scene, Polkinghorne has been a colossus of the game. Playing her entire Ninja A-League Women career with Brisbane Roar FC, she was twice awarded the Julie Dolan Medal for Player of the Year. Her further accolades include five PFA Team of the Year selections, alongside three league Premierships and three Championships.
After more than half her life in the CommBank Matildas, Clare Polkinghorne believes the timing is right to depart from the international stage.
“After a lot of thought and deep reflection, I've decided to step away from international football after our final match of the year against Chinese Taipei in Geelong,” said Polkinghorne.
“From FIFA Women’s World Cups to Olympic Games and Asian Cups, to have worn the Australian badge for over 18 years has been the greatest honour of my life. A privilege that I will always treasure and more than I could have dreamed as a six-year-old playing on the football fields of Brisbane.
“This journey and this football life is not possible without a strong support network, and I have been blessed to have that through my parents, brothers, extended family, close friends and Matildas teammates. I cannot express my gratitude enough for all they have done throughout my career to allow me to enjoy this adventure of a lifetime.
“I also want to acknowledge the head coaches, team managers and Matildas support staff who have contributed to my own personal success and the success of the team. Thank you also to the CommBank Matildas fans who have embraced the team throughout the years.
“As a new cycle commences, now seems the perfect time to move forward and I feel confident that the next generation of players will continue to take women’s football, and women’s sport, to even greater heights,” Polkinghorne concluded.
Football Australia CEO, James Johnson, said Clare Polkinghorne will be deeply missed by the Australian football community but remembered as one of the great Australian sportswomen.
“Clare has been synonymous with the CommBank Matildas and as she brings her international career to an end, it is only right that she is celebrated for a truly distinguished Australian career,” expressed Johnson.
“A player and person of great humility, Clare is the epitome of a quiet achiever. While she has never courted the spotlight, her passion for the green and gold has been evident every time she scores for her nation, and her steadfast dedication to the team has made her shine all that brighter.
“Her legacy will be in fighting to leave the jersey in a much better place than when she first donned it, and her impact is unmistakable in the incredible progress the CommBank Matildas have sparked on and off the pitch. This will be her enduring imprint on the game.
“On behalf of Football Australia, I would like to congratulate Clare on a remarkable international career, and we look forward to seeing where the next stage of her life takes her. We will gladly keep her involved in Australian football where she still has so much to offer,” concluded Johnson.
Polkinghorne’s first head coach at international level, CommBank Matildas’ Interim Head Coach, Tom Sermanni, said the defender’s career will stand the test of time.
“Clare has always bled green and gold from the first time she pulled on the jersey as a fresh faced 18-year-old and over the years has become the heart and soul of the CommBank Matildas,” said Sermanni.
“For anyone who has had the pleasure to know and work with Clare, she will be deeply missed by everyone in the CommBank Matildas. A consummate professional, her work ethic, dedication to improvement, selflessness, kindness, warmth, intelligence and passion are qualities that have endeared her to the team and the fans.
“As we prepare to celebrate her career, Clare deserves all the plaudits she is sure to receive. She earned the respect of her peers and the public alike through how she has carried herself and represented the nation with aplomb. Clare will truly be remembered as a Matildas’ legend,” Sermanni remarked.
Polkinghorne will complete her domestic season with Kristianstads DFF in the Swedish Damallsvenskan before making a call on her club future.
Football Australia will pay tribute to Polkinghorne, fittingly, at Suncorp Stadium in her home city of Brisbane when the CommBank Matildas take on Brazil on Thursday, November 28.
Clare Polkinghorne Statistics And Accolades | CommBank Matildas
Statistics
- x5 senior FIFA World Cups (China 2007, Germany 2011, Canada 2015, France 2019, Australia & New Zealand 2023)
- 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™
- x5 AFC Women’s Asian Cups (2008, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)
- x3 Olympic Games (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024)
- Highest capped Australian footballer of All Time (167 ‘A’ internationals*)
- Third Australian footballer to reach 150 caps
* current appearances as at 3 October 2024
Awards & Recognition
- 2008 AFF Women's Championship™ Title
- 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ Title
- x2 Julie Dolan Medalist for W-League/A-League Women’s Player of the Year
- x3 WNSL / W-League / A-League Women’s Championship title (2005, 2008/09, 2010/11)
- x3 W-League / A-League Women Premiership title (2008/09, 2012/13, 2017/18)
- 5x PFA W-League Team of the Season (2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21)
- Football Australia Team of the Decade (2000-2013)
