Michelle Heyman
Michelle Heyman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michelle Pearl Heyman July 4, 1988 Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Soccer player, analyst |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Known for | A-League Women record goal scorer, Matildas international player |
Michelle Pearl Heyman (born 4 July 1988) is a prominent Australian soccer athlete and analyst currently representing Canberra United FC in Australia's A-League. In March 2021, she set a new benchmark by becoming the W-League's highest all-time goal scorer, netting her 73rd goal. Heyman made her international debut for the Matildas in 2010 and has competed in major tournaments including the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup, the 2015 FIFA World Cup, and the 2016 Summer Olympics. Although she stepped away from international play in May 2019, she made a comeback in January 2024 following an injury to Matildas striker Sam Kerr.
Throughout her club career, Heyman has played for several W-League teams such as Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC, and Adelaide United, as well as competing abroad with the Western New York Flash in the American National Women's Soccer League.
Early life and education
Michelle Pearl Heyman was born on 4 July 1988.
Club career
Starting her football journey at age 11 with the Warilla Wanderers, Heyman later joined Port Kembla FC and Shellharbour City before signing with Illawarra Stingrays, competing in the New South Wales Women's Super League (currently NPL NSW Women's). She frequently returned to play for the Stingrays during breaks between W-League seasons.
Prior to the 2008–09 W-League season, Heyman attended trials for Sydney FC and was selected as one of ten players out of 120 hopefuls. She subsequently transferred to Central Coast Mariners, marking her debut with two goals against Sydney FC.
In 2009, Heyman earned both the Golden Boot and the prestigious Julie Dolan Medal as the standout player of the 2009 W-League season. The following year, she joined Canberra United, where she led goal scoring during the 2011–12 W-League campaign, helping secure both the premiership and championship titles for the club.
Heyman spent part of 2012 playing for Denmark's Brøndby IF before returning to Canberra United for the 2012–13 W-League season. On 9 July 2015, she signed with American club Western New York Flash, participating in nine matches throughout the 2015 National Women's Soccer League season.
During the 2016 W-League off-season, Heyman rejoined Illawarra Stingrays. After completing eight seasons with Canberra United—accumulating 93 appearances, scoring 56 goals, and earning two Golden Boots along with two Championships and three Premierships—she departed from the club in July 2018.
Heyman was signed by Adelaide United on 24 August 2018 for the 2018–19 season. After one season with Adelaide, she took a year away from professional play to coach at a secondary school in Sydney before making her return to Canberra United.
On 13 January 2024, Heyman achieved a milestone by becoming the first player in W-League history to reach 100 league goals, scoring against Adelaide United. As of May 2025, she holds records for both most appearances (202) and highest goal tally (119) in A-League Women/W-League history.
International career
Heyman made her first appearance for the Matildas in 2010. She was included in the squad for the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup, where the team finished as runners-up. During the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Heyman participated in five matches, and at the 2016 Summer Olympics, she featured in four games before Australia was knocked out in the quarterfinals.
Although selected for the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup roster, Heyman did not take the field. Australia ended as runners-up to Japan and secured qualification for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. In May 2019, she declared her retirement from international football, later disclosing that her departure was due to physical injuries and mental health struggles.
In 2024, after striker Sam Kerr sustained an injury, Heyman was recalled to participate in the third round of the 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament facing Uzbekistan. She scored during her comeback match and added four more goals in a 10-0 victory, contributing significantly to Australia's Olympic qualification.
On 4 June 2024, Heyman was named once again to the Matildas squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking her second Olympic selection. She scored the decisive goal in a thrilling 6–5 group stage comeback win against Zambia.
International goals
Scores and results list Australia's tally first.
Honours
Australia
- Canberra United
Individual
- Julie Dolan Medal recipient: 2009, 2021
- W-League Golden Boot awards: 2009, 2011–12
Personal life
Heyman is openly lesbian and was the sole openly lesbian Australian competitor at the 2016 Olympic Games. In 2024, she announced her engagement to her partner Christine Aldridge.
She has openly shared her struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and dealing with physical injuries.
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1988 births
- Living people
- Australian women's soccer players
- Sydney FC (women) players
- Central Coast Mariners FC (women) players
- Canberra United FC players
- Adelaide United FC (women) players
- Australian LGBTQ soccer players
- Australian lesbian sportswomen
- Australia women's international soccer players
- 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup players
- Footballers at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Sportswomen from New South Wales
- Soccer players from New South Wales
- Women's association football forwards
- Western New York Flash players
- Australian expatriate sportspeople in the United States
- Expatriate women's soccer players in the United States
- National Women's Soccer League players
- Olympic soccer players for Australia
- Footballers at the 2024 Summer Olympics
- 21st-century Australian sportswomen
- A-League Women championship–winning players