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 being 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,” Polkinghorne said.

“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 of 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.   

“For as long as I can remember, 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,” Johnson expressed. 

“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 the brighter.    

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.