FORMER Wynnum Wolves junior and Matildas great Clare Polkinghorne has formally received her Medal of the Order of Australia, recognising a career that helped reshape women’s football in Australia.
Polkinghorne was presented with her OAM by Queensland Governor Dr Jeannette Young at Government House, after being named in the 2025 Australia Day Honours.
The Brisbane-born defender said the recognition was “a little bit surreal”.
“It’s really, really nice to get the recognition of a long career,” she said.
“Hopefully it means that I’ve had a positive impact on the sport and on people and inspired some young players to become Matildas or Socceroos.
“It’s a really big honour for me and something I’m really, really proud of.”
Polkinghorne said it was especially meaningful to share the occasion with family and friends.
“I’m never really home that often, so they were really accommodating in putting together the celebration at short notice,” she said.
“It was just really nice to have my family and some friends there to celebrate.”
Wynnum Wolves president Rabieh Krayem said the honour was an enormously proud moment for the club.
“To see a player who started here as a young girl go on to become Australia’s most-capped footballer is extraordinary,” he said.
“Clare has represented her country with class, determination and humility for almost two decades.
“She is proof to every young player at our club that big dreams can begin on a local field.
“Her legacy goes well beyond her achievements with the Matildas – she has helped inspire a new generation of girls to play football and believe there is a pathway for them in the game.
“On behalf of Wynnum Wolves, we congratulate Clare Polkinghorne OAM on a thoroughly deserved honour. She will always be part of the Wolves family.”
Polkinghorne began her football journey at Wynnum Wolves, before playing with Capalaba Bulldogs and Brisbane Toro and progressing through Queensland pathways.
“My first game was for the Wolves, so it’s where my journey began,” she said.
“They’ve been a massive supporter of mine ever since, and it’s where I fell in love with the game.”
She made her Matildas debut as a 17-year-old in 2006 and spent 18 years in the green and gold, finishing with 169 international appearances and 16 goals.
At the time of her retirement from international football in December 2024, Polkinghorne was Australia’s most-capped footballer across both the men’s and women’s national teams.
Fellow Matilda Emily van Egmond has since moved ahead of her.
Polkinghorne represented Australia at five FIFA Women’s World Cups and three Olympic Games and was part of the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup-winning side.
“Winning the Asian Cup in 2010 was massive,” she said.
“You can’t go past the home World Cup in 2023 either – the impact that we had and the support we got from the whole of Australia was incredible.
“But I think my favourite part has been the people along the way – your teammates, coaches, and being able to share it with your family. It’s the people along the way that make it worthwhile.”
A commanding central defender and respected leader, Polkinghorne captained Australia 28 times and was a key figure as the Matildas developed from a largely semi-professional program into one of Australia’s most recognised sporting teams.
She said the growth in girls’ football had been among the most pleasing changes of her career.
“When I started playing football, there were no girls on my side, so I was in with the boys and didn’t really have any female role models to look up to,” she said.
“Now there are lots of girls’ teams at every age, which is amazing to see, and they have a lot of amazing role models to look up to in the Matildas.
“It’s been really nice to see that growth of the game in Australia.”
Polkinghorne said women’s football had a strong future, provided the investment continued.
“We just need to continue the momentum we got from the World Cup and the Asian Cup, continue to invest, and give the girls the best opportunity to be full-time athletes,” she said.
Now based in Sweden, Polkinghorne is beginning a transition into coaching.
“I love football, so I just want to be around it,” she said. “I’m enjoying coaching at the moment, and potentially it could become a full-time career.”
