Michelle Heyman

Michelle Heyman
Heyman playing for Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics
Personal information
Full name Michelle Pearl Heyman
Date of birth (1988-07-04) 4 July 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Canberra United
Number 23
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008 Illawarra Stingrays
2008–2009 Sydney FC 3 (0)
2009 Central Coast Mariners 11 (11)
2010–2018 Canberra United 91 (51)
2012 Brøndby IF
2015 Western New York Flash 9 (1)
2016–2018 Illawarra Stingrays 11 (5)
2018–2019 Adelaide United 12 (1)
2020– Canberra United 68 (49)
International career‡
2010– Australia 74 (28)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 December 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 December 2024

Michelle Pearl Heyman (born 4 July 1988) is an Australian soccer player and commentator who as of 2024 plays for Canberra United FC in the A-League in Australia. She became the all-time record goalscorer in the W-League in March 2021 after scoring her 73rd goal. Heyman first represented Australia in the Matildas in 2010, playing at the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup, the 2015 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. In May 2019, she retired from international football, but returned to the team in January 2024 when she was called up following an injury to Matildas' striker Sam Kerr.

She has previously played for W-League teams Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC, and Adelaide United, as well as 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.[1]

Club career

Heyman playing for Canberra United in 2010

Heyman began playing at the age of 11 with the Warilla Wanderers.[2] She later played for Port Kembla FC and Shellharbour City before signing with Illawarra Stingrays in the New South Wales Women's Super League (now NPL NSW Women's). She has returned to play for the Stingrays several times between W-League seasons.[3][4]

Prior to the beginning of the 2008–09 W-League season, Heyman trialled for Sydney FC. Out of 120 triallists, she was one of only ten to be signed by the club.[2]

Heyman signed from Sydney FC in the off-season to join Central Coast Mariners.[5] On her debut for the Mariners, Heyman scored a double against her old club, Sydney FC.[6]

In 2009, Heyman won the Golden Boot award for most goals scored during the League season along with the Julie Dolan Medal as the 2009 W-League player of the year.[7][8]

In 2010, Heyman signed with Canberra United.[9] During the 2011–12 W-League season, she was the leading goal-scorer in the league as Canberra United won the W-League premiership/championship double.[10]

Heyman spent five months in 2012 playing in Denmark for Brøndby IF. She returned to Canberra United in time for the start of the 2012–13 W-League season.[11]

On 9 July 2015, Heyman signed with US side Western New York Flash where she played nine matches in the 2015 National Women's Soccer League season.[12]

In 2016, rejoined the Illawarra Stingrays in the NPL NSW Women's competition during the W-League off-season.[13][14]

On 21 July 2018, it was announced that Heyman was leaving Canberra United after eight seasons. She made 93 appearances for Canberra, and scored 56 goals. She won the Golden Boot twice, and won two Championship Titles and three Premierships.[15]

On 24 August 2018, Adelaide United announced they had signed Heyman to a one-year contract for the 2018–19 W-League Season.[16] At the end of the season, Heyman left Adelaide.[17] After a season not playing soccer but rather coaching at a Sydney secondary school, Heyman returned to the W-League, signing with Canberra United.[18]

On 13 January 2024, Heyman became the first W-League player to score 100 league goals following a 50th minute goal against Adelaide United.[19]

International career

Heyman made her debut for the national team, the Matildas, in 2010.[20] She was part of the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup squad that finished the tournament as runners-up.[21] Heyman played five matches for Australia at the 2015 FIFA World Cup.[1][22] At the 2016 Summer Olympics, Heyman played four matches for the Australian team that was eliminated in the quarter finals.[23]

Heyman was named to the Matildas squad for the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup, but she did not appear in any matches. Australia finished runner-up to Japan and qualified for the 2019 FIFA World Cup.[24] In May 2019 Heyman announced her retirement from international football.[25][26] She later revealed that she had been fired from the team, after suffering from a number of physical injuries as well as mental health issues.[27]

In 2024, following an injury to Matildas' striker Sam Kerr, Heyman was called up to the squad for the third round of the 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, for two matches against Uzbekistan.[28][29] She scored in her first match back, opening scoring in the 71st minute for a 3-0 victory.[30] In the second match, she scored 4 goals in the first half of the 10-0 victory. Australia qualified for the Olympics.[31]

On 4 June 2024, Heyman was named in the Matildas team that qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, her second Olympic games selection.[32] She scored the game-winning goal in the Matildas' second group stage match, a come-from-behind 6–5 victory over Zambia.[33][34]

Career statistics

International goals

Scores and results list Australia's score first.

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 3 September 2011 Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Jinan, China  Thailand 2–0 5–1 2012 Olympics qualification
2 3–0
3 13 September 2012 Carroll Stadium, Indianapolis, United States  Haiti 4–0 4–0 Friendly
4 13 June 2013 Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia  New Zealand 1–0 1–0 Friendly
5 5 March 2014 GSZ Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus  Netherlands 2–2 2–2 2014 Cyprus Cup
6 10 March 2014 GSZ Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus  Scotland 1–3 2–4 2014 Cyprus Cup
7 2–4
8 9 April 2014 Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Brisbane, Australia  Brazil 2–1 2–1 Friendly
9 10 February 2015 Bill McKinlay Park, Auckland, New Zealand  North Korea 2–1 2–1 Friendly
10 12 February 2015 Bill McKinlay Park, Auckland, New Zealand  New Zealand 2–0 3–2 Friendly
11 11 March 2015 Paralimni Stadium, Paralimni, Cyprus  Czech Republic 4–1 6–2 2015 Cyprus Cup
12 19 May 2015 Valentine Sports Park, Sydney, Australia  Vietnam 4–0 4–0 Friendly
13 21 May 2015 Jubilee Oval, Sydney, Australia  Vietnam 2–0 11–0 Friendly
14 6–0
15 8–0
16 29 February 2016 Kincho Stadium, Osaka, Japan  Japan 2–0 3–1 2016 Olympics qualifying
17 2 March 2016 Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan  Vietnam 8–0 9–0 2016 Olympics qualifying
18 7 March 2016 Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan  North Korea 1–0 2–1 2016 Olympics qualifying
19 9 August 2016 Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil  Zimbabwe 5–0 6–1 2016 Summer Olympics
20 6–0
21 24 February 2024 Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan  Uzbekistan 1–0 3–0 2024 Olympics qualifying
22 28 February 2024 Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia  Uzbekistan 2–0 10–0 2024 Olympics qualifying
23 3–0
24 4–0
25 8–0
26 31 May 2024 Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia  China 1–1 1–1 Friendly
27 28 July 2024 Stade de Nice, Nice, France  Zambia 6–5 6–5 2024 Summer Olympics
28 7 December 2024 Kardinia Park, Geelong, Australia  Chinese Taipei 4–0 6–0 Friendly

Honours

Australia

Canberra United

Individual

Personal life

Heyman is openly lesbian.[36][37] She was the only openly lesbian Australian athlete at the 2016 Olympics.[38]

Heyman has spoken openly about suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, as well as her physical injuries.[27]

References

  1. ^ a b "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 – List of Players: Australia" (PDF). FIFA. 6 July 2015. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b Ritchie, Joel (8 October 2008). "Heyman ready to strike for Sydney FC". Illawarra Mercury. Fairfax Regional Media. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  3. ^ Anderson, Ross. "Player Interview with Illawarra Stingrays' Michelle Heyman". Football NSW. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  4. ^ Cohen, Mitch (28 July 2017). "Heyman to return for Illawarra". Illawarra Mercury. Fairfax Regional Media. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  5. ^ Barrow, Tim (29 October 2009). "Heyman focusing on W-League goals". Illawarra Mercury. Fairfax Regional Media. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  6. ^ Carlucci, Joseph (5 October 2009). "Marvellous Mariners Women win season opener". Central Coast Mariners. Archived from the original on 17 February 2011.
  7. ^ Lucius, Adam (7 December 2009). "Late start no hurdle for Heyman". W-League.com.au. Sportal. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  8. ^ Ormond, Aidan (7 December 2009). "Mariner Michelle Scoops Awards". Australian FourFourTwo. Haymarket Media. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  9. ^ "Heyman hat-trick gets United off to winning start". Canberra United FC. 8 October 2010. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Canberra Crowned W-League Champions". Australian FourFourTwo. Haymarket Media. 28 January 2012. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  11. ^ Page, Fleta (14 September 2012). "Heyman back to chase second title with United". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  12. ^ "Matildas striker Michelle Heyman signs with US side Western New York Flash". The Guardian. AAP. 9 July 2015. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  13. ^ Cohen, Mitch (8 April 2016). "From Stingrays junior to national team star". Illawarra Mercury. Fairfax Regional Media. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  14. ^ "Michelle Heyman - Player Statistics". PS4 National Premier Leagues. SportsTG. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  15. ^ "Canberra United lose Michelle Heyman to Sydney". 21 July 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Michelle Heyman signs for Adelaide United for 2018/19 season". 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  17. ^ Reilly, Ella; Lewis, Samantha (12 November 2019). "W-League 2019-20 season preview: team-by-team guide". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  18. ^ "Michelle Heyman is back". Canberra United. 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  19. ^ "100 LEAGUE GOALS FOR MICHELLE HEYMAN! 💯⚽️ The first player to ever do it in the Liberty A-League ;)👏🤯 A legend writes her name into the history books 🐐". 13 January 2024.
  20. ^ Ritchie, Joel (6 August 2010). "Heyman's in demand". Illawarra Mercury. Fairfax Regional Media. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  21. ^ "AFC Women's Asian Cup 2014 - Final". The-AFC.com. The Asian Football Confederation. 25 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  22. ^ "FIFA Tournaments - Players & Coaches - Michelle Heyman". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  23. ^ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament, Rio 2016 - Matches". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  24. ^ "M.Heyman". Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  25. ^ "Michelle Heyman: I Quit". thewomensgame.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  26. ^ "Former Matildas star Michelle Heyman retires from football". Fox Sports. 30 May 2019. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  27. ^ a b Turnbull, Tiffanie (23 July 2024). "Michelle Heyman: How retired Matildas striker made Olympic return". BBC Home. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  28. ^ "CommBank Matildas 23-player squad named to contest vital Paris 2024 Asian Qualifiers | Matildas". www.matildas.com.au. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  29. ^ "CommBank Matildas 23-player squad named to contest vital Paris 2024 Asian Qualifiers". Matildas. 7 February 2024. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  30. ^ Pender, Kieran (24 February 2024). "Matildas launch late triple-strike to sink Uzbekistan in Paris Olympics qualifier". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Australia thump Uzbekistan 10-0 to seal Olympic berth".
  32. ^ "History making Matildas team selected for Paris Olympics". Matildas. Football Australia. 4 June 2024. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  33. ^ "Optus Sport". sport.optus.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  34. ^ Rendell, Sarah (28 July 2024). "Australia 6-5 Zambia: Matildas roar back from 5-2 down in Olympics thriller – as it happened". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Dolan Warren Awards: Michelle Heyman awarded Julie Dolan Medal". w-league.com.au. W-league. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  36. ^ Heyman, Michelle; Warby, Danielle (29 February 2016). "Get out and stay out: Michelle Heyman". Zela. Special Broadcasting Service. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  37. ^ Helmers, Caden (4 March 2017). "Michelle Heyman wins LGBTI sports personality of the year gong". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  38. ^ Moran, Jonathan (8 April 2017). "In love and ready to rock the red carpet". Daily Telegraph. Sydney: News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
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