Clare Polkinghorne Is an Australian international soccer player who plays first-tier football in the Swedish Damallsvenskan with Vittsjo GIK as a defender. She has been a key member of the Westfield Matildas since 2007, making 4 FIFA World Cup appearances, winning the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian, and serving as co-captain of the team at the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio.
She recently joined Vittsjo in Sweden after becoming a club legend at Brisbane Roar. She had short spells in the US with Portland Thorns and the Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League.
The defender, a two-time holder of the Julie Dolan medal is regarded as a tenacious, tough, and effective player who defends with her all for both club and country.
Who Is Clare Polkinghorne?
Tony and Britha Polkinghorne gave birth to Clare Polkinghorne on 1st February 1989 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. She was raised as the only daughter alongside her two brothers Liam and Tom.
As a child, she was taught about how important family relationships are, and she grows up to appreciate those virtues. And because of that, she shares a strong bond with her family members whom she finds difficult to away from for long.
Polkinghorne fell in love with the game of soccer at a tender age. She started playing at home with Brisbane when she was 4 or 5.
To show just how much she is into the game, she would follow her big brother who played for a team back then. While she watches him play, she felt the need to join in and play.
Her hunger for the game saw her joining a boy’s team, the Wynnum Wolves, marking the beginning of a successful journey into football.
At about the age of 14 or 15, she got an invitation to join the Queensland Academy of Sport and began to train with players who were getting set for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. The young girl didn’t realize she was going to trade a similar route, but it enkindled in her a yearning and burning desire to represent her country.
In 2006, she got her first shot with the Westfield Matildas.
2021 Player Profile
- Full Name: Clare Elizabeth Polkinghorne
- Date of Birth: 1st February 1989
- Age: 36 years old
- Place of Birth: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Nationality: Australia
- Current Club: Vittsjo GIK
- League: Damallsvenksan
- Position: Defender
- Jersey: #16
- Youth Career: Wynnum Wolves, Capalaba Bulldogs
- Senior Club Career: Brisbane Toro, Queensland Lions, Queensland Academy of Sport, Brisbane Roar, INAC Kobe Leonessa (loan), Portland Thorns, Houston Dash, Avaldsnes IL
- National Team Career: Australia U-20, Australia
- Father: Tony Polkinghorne
- Mother: Britha Polkinghorne
- Siblings: Liam and Tom (brothers)
- Partner: Elyse Nayler
- Net Worth: $1.5 Million
- Brand: Adidas
- Education: Griffith University
- Bachelors Degree: Psychology and Criminology (double)
- Master Degree: Criminology
- Height: 1.71m
- Weight: 67kg
Net Worth of Clare Polkinghorne
Polkinghorne who began playing club football in 2003 must-have earned a pretty decent amount of money from it. However, different sources have given different figures in that regard. Therefore, she is estimated to have garnered a net worth of $1.5 million.
She currently has an endorsement deal with Adidas and Trueprotein.
Also; Read Meghan MacLaren- 10 Facts About The Two-Time LET Champion
Is She Married?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtND7VsledF/
Clare Polkinghorne has not revealed her marital status. As it stands now, the Westfield Matildas defender is not married, but she has a relationship with Elyse Nayler.
Even though she hasn’t clearly made known her sexual orientation, the pictures of Miss Nayler she always shares suggest they have a relationship.
She always celebrates her milestones and achievements in life.
Fast Facts About Clare Polkinghorne
1. She Has Been A One-Club Player
Before she departed Brisbane Roar for Vittsjo GIK in Sweden, the defender played 151 W-League games for the club. She has achieved so much both at the club and at an individual level winning trophies and personal achievements. The feat has never been achieved by any player in the history of club.
2. It Was Challenging When She Joined Houston Dash
The biggest challenge Polkinghorne faced in her soccer career was moving to the US to play for the Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). It took her away from her number support system, family. It was tough on her considering the fact that she is used to staying around her family.
3. Her First QAS Coach Was Her Greatest Influenced
Mike Mulvey was Polkinghorne’s first coach at the Queensland Academy of Sport. He taught her from a tender age what it takes to compete at the highest level. He also instilled in her the discipline needed to be successful as a top athlete.
These were the things that set her in motion to becoming who she is today.
4. She Hopes To Make A Fifth FIFA World Cup Appearance Before Retirement
As long as her body permits, Polkinghorne hopes to play in the next FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2023. The center-back believes she can play for one, two, or even fours after since personally, she hasn’t put a limit on herself.
5. She Plans To Join The Federal Police After Football
She always desired to join the Federal Police, once she retires from football, that could be her next target. This dream must have informed her decision to obtain a double degree in Psychology and Criminology, and also a Masters in Criminology from Griffith University.
Clare Polkinghorne’s Major Honors
1. Individual Accolades
- Julie Dolan Medal for Best Player in the 2012/13 W-League
- Julie Dolan Medal for Best Player in the 2017/18 W-League
2. Club Honors
- Women’s National Soccer League with Queensland Sting (2005)
- 2X W-League Premiership with Brisbane Roar (2008/09, 2012/13)
- 2X W-League Championship with Brisbane Roar (2008/09. 2010/11)
3. Country Honors
- AFF Women’s Championship (2008)
- AFC Women’s Asian Cup (2010)
- AFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament (2016)
- Tournament of Nations (2017)
- FFA Cup of Nations (2019)
- Silver Medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (2021)
Complete profile of Clare Polkinghorne
| Clare Polkinghorne | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Clare Elizabeth Polkinghorne |
| Date of Birth | 1 February 1989 |
| Age | 36 |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Birth place | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | Griffith University |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Playing Position | Defender |
| Clubs | Wynnum Wolves Capalaba Bulldogs 2003 Brisbane Toro 2004 Queensland Lions 2004–2008 Queensland Academy of Sport 2008–2021 Brisbane Roar 2014 → INAC Kobe Leonessa (loan) 2015 Portland Thorns 2018–2019 Houston Dash 2020 Avaldsnes IL 2021– Vittsjö GIK 2006–2007 Australia U-20 2006– Australia |
| Father | Anthony Polkinghorne |
| Mother | Brita Polkinghorne |
| Siblings | Liam and Tom |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Spouse/Partner | NA |
| Girlfriend | Elyse Nayler |
| Kids | NA |
| Religion | NA |
| Estimated Net Worth: | $1.5 million |
| Source of net worth | Football career |
| Height | Feet- 5 ft 7 in Meters- 1.71 m Centimeters- 171cm |
| Weight | 67kg |
| Eye color | NA |
| Hair color | NA |
| Social media | instagram |
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