‘Never wanted to play anything else’: Australia’s latest hero’s parents lift the lid on her heroics

From a young age, Mackenzie Arnold’s parents knew they had a star in the house, on Saturday night, the world got to see her at her full potential.

From a young age, Mackenzie Arnold’s parents knew they had a star in the house, on Saturday night, the world got to see her at her full potential.

Leah and Steve Arnold are the extremely proud parents of the Gold Coast and Matildas hero.

In dramatic style, the Matildas earned their spot in the final four of the 2023 World Cup thanks to the brilliant efforts of Arnold in goals, which included three massive saves during the penalty shootout against France.

Leah said her heart was almost out of her mouth during the shootouts.

“It was incredible game to watch, we are so proud of her and all the girls for their efforts,” Leah said.

Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold's proud parents Leah and Steve Arnold. Picture: Jake Garland

“She (Mackenzie) was brilliant in goals, the whole family was there watching her, we wouldn’t have missed that for the world.

“I could barely watch the penalty shootout, my heart was sitting right up there with each kick.

Both mum and dad were joined by older brother Sam in the crowd to watch Mackenzie become a house hold name.

Australia’s newest hero took up soccer at the age of just six and it became the only sport she ever wanted to play.

Playing in the boys league until she was 14, Arnold strived and developed her game continuously.

“From the get go, she never wanted to play another sport, she just fell in love soccer,” the Arnolds said.

“Playing soccer with the boys at school just at lunch time was what got her into it.

“Started at age six in the boys competition and then when she was no longer allowed to be in the boys comp she moved to the girls comp at 14.

“That was when she took up goalkeeping and by that stage she had been picked up by Gold Coast representatives.

“Then she went up to Queensland Academy of Sport in Brisbane and that was thanks to her goalie coach.”

Arnold received her first call up to the Australian National Team for a tour of the United States in 2012.

Making her debut in November that year, keeping a clean sheet in a win over Chinese Taipei in the EAFF Women’s East Asian Cup preliminary round two.

In 2015, Arnold was included as one of three goalkeepers in the Matildas squad for the 2015 World Cup in Canada.

Mackenzie’s former Canberra United coach Paul Jones, who worked closely with Mackenzie at the National under-20 squad and Matildas said she was always going to be a gun.

“Mackenzie was an incredible goalkeeper when I met her when she was about 17 from memory,” Jones said.

“She had a few technical things that needed tweaking but you could just tell she was going to be an absolute gun.

“She wanted to learn, she wanted to get better and didn’t take a backwards step either.

“We looked a few things and that 2015 World Cup campaign we took three keepers,

“She was third in line but we spoke about the longevity of it all and eventually she became our number one.”

Arnold’s efforts have helped the Matildas make it to the semi-final of the World Cup, which is the furthest they have ever got to.

The Matildas will play against rivals England on Wednesday night for a shot in the World Cup final.

Originally published as ‘Never wanted to play anything else’: Australia’s latest hero’s parents lift the lid on her heroics