Michelle Heyman and Her ‘Never Say Die’ attitude
Sophie Puodzuis
If there’s one athlete who truly embodies the spirit of never giving up,it’s Michelle Heyman.The 36 year old has gone from declaring her international retirement in 2019 to being selected as part of the Matildas squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.Michelle Heyman’s inspirational journey has led her to become the incredible person and player that she is today.
Heyman made her Matildas debut in 2010, having never featured as a young Matilda. She instantly became an integral part of their team, making a number of appearances in the 2015 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics.
She was part of the squad for the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup but didn’t play any minutes throughout the competition. After missing out on a World Cup place, Heyman announced her international retirement in May 2019, citing injury and mental health issues as the reason for her sudden exit.
In an emotional interview with Fox News, Heyman stated:
“I really wanted to fight for that (World Cup place) but my body isn’t going to allow me to do that.My mind isn’t going to allow me to do that”.
She went on to articulate her struggles with anxiety throughout her time in the Australian national team,describing the major impact that frequent panic attacks was having upon her mental wellbeing.
At the time, a lack of support for the Matildas appeared to paint a bleak future for the team, with the majority of games being played behind closed doors as it wasn’t cost-effective for fans to attend. The players were poorly paid and allegations of a toxic environment within the Australian set-up resulted in the sacking of Manager, Alen Stajcic.
Heyman is a player who often speaks passionately about various issues encompassing women’s football, which demonstrates her determination to drive the game forwards and raise the standards for future generations of young girls.
Alongside her international retirement, Heyman also sat out of the 2019/20 A-League women’s season. To many, it appeared that the door had been closed upon an exceptional domestic and international career.
But Heyman wasn’t finished yet. Her restorative break reignited her love of the game and allowed her to take the time needed to work her way back up to full fitness before returning to the A-league Women’s. Upon return, the Australian became a valued asset to Canberra United, bringing her individual quality and experience to a team who were looking to rise through the ranks of A-league women’s football.
She continued to break down barriers and smash records, registering 100 appearances for Canberra United and 150 in the A-League Women’s,a feat that very few have matched.
Perhaps her most impressive achievement was becoming the first player to score over 100 goals in the A-League Women’s,breaking Sam Kerr's record for the highest number of goals in a season in the process.
Heyman oversaw the Matildas meteoric rise throughout the 2023 Women’s World Cup alongside thousands of devoted supporters in the stands. The team captured the hearts of a nation with their historic run of outstanding performances, resulting in the exponential growth of the Matildas fanbase.
Determined for an opportunity to play in front of the dedicated Matildas fans, Heyman was reinvigorated with a new found hunger to make a dream return to the national team.
A golden opportunity arose as the Matildas manager, Tony Gustavvson, was on the hunt for an in-form striker to fill the void left by the renowned Sam Kerr, who tragically suffered an ACL injury in January 2024. At the time, Heyman was having a breakthrough season at Canberra United, scoring 17 goals in 22 matches and registering 7 assists which demonstrates her goal scoring capabilities. Her exceptional form meant that she caught the eye of Gustavvson due to her ruthlessness in front of goal and her ability to drop deep into midfield to link up with her teammates.
As a result, Gustavvson gave Heyman a much-deserved call-up for two Olympic qualifier games against Uzbekistan. Therefore, 1,929 days since her last appearance in green and gold, Heyman made a welcome return to the team with a new-found confidence that was clear for all to see.
She stepped into her new role almost instantly and became the forward outlet that the Matildas desperately needed.
Heyman etched her name into Australian history books with her sensational return to the Matildas against Uzbekistan and made an instant impact, scoring a crucial opening goal for Australia. This unforgettable moment will undoubtedly be spoken about by Matildas fans for many years to come.
Her ability to exploit gaps between the oppositions defensive structure meant that she tormented the usually well-organised Uzbekistan defence. She went on to score a quartet of goals in the second leg to secure a 10-0 win, which sealed the Matildas plane ticket to Paris.
Heyman’s perseverance and strength even in the face of adversity,has led her amazing comeback story to be considered as one of the greatest in Australian sporting history.
Heyman has successfully returned to a Matildas squad that is worlds apart from the team that she left five years ago, from the increased levels of player support available to the record breaking attendances. The 2023 World Cup has helped to rewrite the narrative of women’s football not just in Australia, but on a global scale.
It’s likely that this monumental growth was a key factor in inspiring Heyman to make a remarkable return to the Matildas with a clear goal of participating in her second Olympic Games.
She proved her worth and showed that she is capable of becoming the first choice number 9 in Sam Kerr’s absence. This is because Heyman offers something different from the other Australian forwards, with her immense pace and world class finishing.
It was no surprise that she was selected as part of the 18-player squad for the Olympics which she described as “a pure honour” in a video released by Football Australia. There was no doubt that Heyman deserved this call up as she worked tirelessly to regain her goal-scoring form and establish herself as a strong contender for selection.
For Heyman, the opportunity to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games was a second chance for her to fulfill one of her lifelong dreams of achieving an Olympic gold medal.
However it wasn’t to be for the Matildas at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as they got knocked out after the group stages due to two disappointing defeats against the USA and Germany.
Heyman didn’t start any of the three group stage matches but she was used as an impact substitute and seemed to bring a new level of intensity to the Matildas frontline. Her ability to influence the direction of games was showcased when she scored a late goal to secure a 6-5 victory in a dramatic game against Zambia. In a post match interview, Heyman expressed her gratitude for the opportunity saying:
“The love that I have for this game keeps me going. I’m just so proud to be a part of it”.
This exhibits the immense pride that Heyman takes in representing her country and her willingness for the team to succeed, even if she only plays a minimal role in this success.
Heyman’s unique story is one filled with hope, resilience and perseverance which has led her to become an Australian legend in women’s football. Her extraordinary comeback serves as proof that no one should ever give up on their dreams, even if they have to overcome numerous obstacles to reach them.
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Sources:
https://www.matildas.com.au/news/heyman-its-never-say-die-attitude