Tameka Yallop joins influx of Matildas returning to Australia to play in the A-League Women’s

Matildas midfielder Tameka Yallop has joined an influx of players returning to Australian shores to bolster the domestic competition.

Matildas’ midfielder Tameka Yallop knew three years ago the FIFA Women’s World Cup would be the turning point for football in Australia and she wanted to do everything she could to be a part of it.

Yallop, who has played 116 games in the green and gold, said the idea of defecting from her European football clubs to rejoin the Australian domestic league first crept into her head in 2020 – just after Australia and New Zealand had been confirmed as hosts for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“I’ve been overseas for a long time,” Yallop said.

“I think it kind of floated through my head when we won the bid a while ago and I just thought you know there would be so much hype around the World Cup, and our league will only get stronger from that and I just wanted to be a part of that.”

Tameka Yallop is returning to play in Australia. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Yallop has had long stints overseas during her career playing for Boston Breakers, FFC Frankfurt, Iga F.C Kunoichi, Mallbackens and Klepp IL before a stint at West Ham United and Brann.

The 32-year-old had a 10-year stint in the A-Leagues with Brisbane Roar from 2008-2018 – winning one championship.

And while her return to her much loved home club had been on the cards for three years it wasn’t locked in until the start of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“It really felt like I was at home during the World Cup with our base camp being in Brisbane and QSAC so I was quite excited having that feeling in the World Cup knowing that I was going to be back here and staying,” Yallop said.

Yallop isn’t the only star to make a return to the A-Leagues on the back of the World Cup.

Fellow Matildas Cortnee Vine, Chloe Logarzo, Kyah Simon, Lydia Williams, Emily Gielnik and Elise Kellond-Knight will all play in the Australian domestic competition this season.

While not all of these players made the cut for the World Cup squad due to injury, all are fit and fighting for selection. Before the World Cup just two of the Matildas played in the A-Leagues.

Fresh off the Matildas’ epic World Cup campaign, Matildas star Tameka Yallop is BACK in the Liberty A-League for season 2023/24 🔥

And the @brisbaneroar midfielder wants YOU to join her 🫵🏻

Grab your Liberty A-League membership: https://t.co/gWSkV9QO4wpic.twitter.com/cYZzNqEyxM

— Liberty A-League (@aleaguewomen) August 31, 2023

There is also a growing list of international players from New Zealand and the Philippines making the move to the Aussie competition.

Yallop says the swing is largely due to the success of the World Cup and the surge in support for women’s football.

“To sell out games not just for (the Matildas) but for pretty much every game there was, so I think it really was inviting for international players to see that and make the choice to come down.”

World Cup fever has far from dissipated with Brisbane Roar selling 3000 women’s season passes so far – a huge jump from the 78 it sold last season.

“The World Cup really did demonstrate that we are a footballing nation and that we are huge advocates for women’s sport,” Yallop said. “There’s still room for growth, but we are seeing the start. of it.”

The midfielder said the full home and away season was a start, but the next needed step was full-time contracts for women players.

Yallop started pre-season with the Roar this week. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

Yallop has only just started her pre-season this week, two weeks before Roar’s season kicks off against Melbourne Victory.

It will put Yallop up against Matildas’ Emily Gielnik, Elise Kellond-Knight and Lydia Williams.

Both Kellond-Knight and Gielnik missed the World Cup due to injuries.

“I definitely feel for them because I was quite close in that position myself coming back from an ankle injury and then and then copping a knock in our last game before the World Cup as well, I definitely feel for those girls and I’m excited to see them back in the field,” Yallop said.

Brisbane Roar will travel to play Melbourne Victory on October 15, kick off at 3pm (AEST).

Originally published as Tameka Yallop joins influx of Matildas returning to Australia to play in the A-League Women’s