The benefits and challenges of being part of one of Australia’s sporting power couples

Among the most recognisable faces in the country, Australia’s sporting power couples are taking over. But behind the movie star smiles the challenges they face, and sacrifices they make, can paint a very different picture.

Australia's sporting power couples.

Adelaide Thunderbirds goal shooter Lauren Frew missed seeing her partner, beach volleyballer Izac Carracher, compete at the Paris Olympics.

He missed seeing her win a Super Netball grand final. It comes with the territory when you’re a sporting couple.

“It was actually an intense period of time,” Frew said of August last year.

“I didn’t book my flights (to Paris) until a week before because we weren’t sure if we were going to make the final.

“I made it over there. But he was in the pool of death, Sweden went on to win the gold, another had won silver in a past Olympics, they were the young ones in the pool.

“If he had won one match I would have got to see him play but it was so hard because I didn’t get over in time to see him play.”

It takes a unique mindset to become an elite athlete so it is no surprise athletes end up in relationships with other athletes. But it often means the one face they want to see most in the grandstand or on the sideline cheering isn’t there.

GWS player Jack Buckley was in a similar position. He had to watch his partner, Olympic hurdler Celeste Mucci, from his couch as the Games coincided with the tail end of the AFL season.

Firebirds midcourter Macy Gardner and Brisbane Lions premiership winner Noah Answerth know what juggling fixtures looks like.

Queensland Firebirds netballer Macy Gardner celebrates on-field with Brisbane Lions' Noah Answerth. Photo: Instagram

Gardner and Answerth have been dating for several years. Photo: Instagram

Gardner and Answerth, who started dating four years ago, said during the season sometimes the only time they got to see each other was when they take their two dogs for a walk in the morning.

“I haven’t actually been to a netball game this year yet,” Answerth said.

“I’m not going to go for the next two weeks, I think I can go to three games this year and Macy can go to four or five of mine.

“You spend a lot of time watching on Kayo, watching replays and Macy telling me about the netball, me telling her about the footy.

“It’s a juggling act this year. It’s not a bad thing but it’d be good to get to see more games and watch her play.”

Even playing the same sport doesn’t guarantee partners get to see each other compete.

Tennis player Alex de Minaur, at the Australian Open, was sneaking glimpses of his partner’s Katie Boulter’s score on the big screen while he was playing.

Alex de Minaur watches on for one of Katie Boulter's Australian Open matches this year. Picture: Getty

The British star was playing on an adjacent court and just hoped that every cheer she heard coming from Rod Laver arena was due to de Minaur wining a point.

“At time you know, it’s obviously difficult to know that he’s playing a match, and you’re kind of hearing cheers here and there, and you’re hoping that’s for him, but you never know,” Boulter said at the time.

“Until I actually heard — I think I heard his mum’s voice from the crowd. That was the first thing I heard before he came. I kind of felt comfortable that he had won and, you know, that I could fully relax.”

Boulter didn’t even get to stay and watch de Minaur’s quarterfinal with Jannik Sinner – instead having to jet off back to the UK to prepare for her next tournament in Doha.

Katie Boulter (L) and Alex de Minaur have managed to play mixed doubles together before. Picture: Getty

Gardner and Answerth, both from Melbourne, met early in their careers in Brisbane at Fridays, a popular riverfront venue in the city.

Answerth was part of the Lions team that won the AFL grand final in 2024 while Gardner’s Firebirds won just four of 14 games. The Firebirds also sacked coach Bec Bulley mid-season.

Answerth said there was no denying it was difficult when one team was wining and the other wasn’t.

“But you find a happy medium where you’re happy for the other and understand where you’re at as an organisation and a group,” Answerth said.

“It’s been good this year, the Firebirds are doing well and they’re going to play the best side and hopefully win again. This year it’s been a lot different in terms of the culture the Firebirds have got. They’re in a much better place and a happier place, and that’s reflected at home.”

Macy Gardner’s Firebirds have enjoyed a promising start to the season. Picture: Getty

Gardner said watching her partner’s excitement had only provided her with extra motivation.

“Witnessing what he went through at the back end of last season was pretty cool,” Gardner said.

“Not everyone gets the opportunity to play in a grand final, let alone win one, so it is definitely a bit competitive in our household and I’d love to add to our trophy cabinet that is for sure.”

Gardner said it wasn’t just about celebrating the wins, but helping each other through the tough times.

She had supported Answerth as he dealt with long term injuries and it was his turn to in 2023 when Gardner suffered her first “proper” injury of her career when she damaged her wrist in a heavy fall.

“Noah was able to guide me through it and put things back into perspective for me. Like anything, if you have a supportive partner it will help you get through it,” she said.

Lauren Frew (R) missed her partner Izac compete at the Paris Games – because she was winning a grand final of her own, with the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Picture: Getty

Frew said having someone who understood what it took be an athlete made it easier to do the job.

“We both honestly just vegetate on the couch after training, he is really good with his advice, he is really level-headed so it helps me out and helps me with my elite behaviour and recovery,” Frew said.

Swifts netballer Helen Housby started dating former Sydney Swans player Barry O’Connor five years ago.

“For me and Barry, it works so well, because we’re both obsessed with sport,” Housby said.

“You understand what that person’s going through on the day to day.

“When he was at the Swans and we might come home and we might have said: ‘Oh, let’s go to the cinema’, but we might get home from training, you’re like, I’m absolutely dead and all we need to do is rest on the couch, ice my ankle, whatever it is.

“And you become very in tune with your day-to-day life and how they’re probably living something very similar and how they feel about certain situations and going out and all of that.”

Helen Housby said dating a fellow athlete helped with her own sporting drive. Picture: Getty

Gardner agreed: “They understand the mental and physical load that it takes to perform at a high level and the stress and anxiety that can come with it sometimes and being able to balance the wins and the losses,” she said.

“Coming home knowing that someone knows exactly what you’re going through, you can bounce off each other and provide each other with feedback and reflection, insight and perspective.”

Housby said it meant they appreciated each other’s aspirations.

“I know that if he’s going back to Ireland to play Gaelic (football), or if I’m in New Zealand playing for England, you kind of understand and you I think you’re a lot more tolerant of it and supportive, and you love what they’re doing, chasing their dreams,” she said.

Originally published as The benefits and challenges of being part of one of Australia’s sporting power couples