Twenty-four months before the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold wasn’t getting much game time in the national team. So to think that she’s risen to become one of Australia’s most recognisable sportspeople is difficult to grasp, she says.
“To think that about 24 months before the World Cup, I wasn’t even getting much game time at all. So to see all that happen quite quickly, it’s pretty tough for me to wrap my head around,” Arnold, who has been affectionately dubbed Australia’s ‘Minister for Defence’, tells Women’s Agenda.
“It’s been so special to be a part of that process and the growth of the Matildas as well. And I don’t take it for granted. I’m just enjoying the process, and hopefully [it] just keeps going.”
Just last week, Arnold made global headlines after US late night television host Seth Meyers aired a segement with comedian Amy Poehler, with the pair discussing an emotional video of retiring Matildas goalkeepr Lydia Williams handing her No.1 jersey to Arnold. It’s moments like this that show just how far the stardom of the Matildas has skyrocketed since last year.
Now, just weeks out from the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Arnold, alongside freestyle BMX star Logan Martin and basketballer Patty Mills, is starring as a Home Team athlete in Old El Paso’s ‘Make Some Noise’ campaign. Old El Paso is encouraging families to come together and share a meal to connect around Olympic moments.
“It’s basically all about families coming together,” Arnold shares. “It’s about having that camaraderie watching the Aussies at the Olympics. That’s always been a big thing for me and my family and there’s always some sort of food involved.”
“It’s an excuse to come together and have a good night together.”
Arnold noted that the momentum and public support that has been experienced by the Matildas since last year’s World Cup has been “massive”, and she’s hoping the team can continue to make that kind of impact heading into the Paris Olympics.
“It’s crazy for us to think that we’ve been doing the same thing for 10 or so years. But now it’s all finally starting to come to a head,” she says. “It really feels like all of Australia is behind us”.
“To have parents coming up to all of us and saying that we have inspired their children to play football or become a goalkeeper, or even people who decided to join the local football team. That wouldn’t have happened 24 months ago.”
As for what it’s like to have suddenly found herself as a role model for a whole generation of Aussie kids? Arnold says she’s just trying to be herself.
“I try to be myself because I feel like that’s probably what is the most relatable for kids growing up,” Arnold says. “It’s definitely a new challenge and a new responsibility, but it’s one I’m learning about every day, and I’m glad I can be that person for those kids”.
As the Matildas’ Olympics campaign gets under way, the Australians are looking to secure their first ever Olympic medal. In Tokyo in 2021, the Matildas fell just short of a medal, coming in at fourth place and Arnold wasn’t selected to take to the field.
This time around, the Olympics feels like a special opportunity, Arnold says, with her participation in the tourmament now certain. She is keen to continue building on the extraordinary legacy of the team.
“The legacy that we’ve always wanted to leave is starting to happen, so it’s really special,” she says. “And hopefully, we can just keep making that impact heading into the Olympics.”
Image: Mackenzie Arnold in the Old El Paso ‘Make Some Noise’ campaign.