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Tameka Yallop

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Tameka Yallop
Yallop playing for Australia at the 2016 Olympics
Personal information
Full name Tameka Yallop[1]
Birth name Tameka Butt[2]
Date of birth (1991-06-16) 16 June 1991 (age 35)[3]
Place of birth Orange, New South Wales, Australia
Height 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in)
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Wellington Phoenix
Youth career
Mudgeeraba SC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008 QAS
2008–2018 Brisbane Roar 108 (49)
2010 → Ottawa Fury (loan)
2012 Boston Breakers 8 (3)
2013 1. FFC Frankfurt 8 (3)
2014 → Iga F.C. Kunoichi (loan)
2016 Mallbackens 19 (2)
2017–2018 Klepp IL 58 (32)
2018–2019 Melbourne City 10 (3)
2019–2021 Brisbane Roar 21 (6)
2021–2022 West Ham United 16 (1)
2022–2023 Brann 7 (1)
2023–2026 Brisbane Roar 29 (11)
2026– Wellington Phoenix 1 (0)
International career‡
2007–2008 Australia U-17 7 (1)
2007–2009 Australia U-20 16 (3)
2007– Australia 134 (14)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18 October 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 10 July 2025

Tameka Yallop (/təˈmiːkə ˈjæləp/[4] tə-MEE-kə YAL-əp; née Butt; born 16 June 1991) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women. She has previously played for the Boston Breakers in the WPSL Elite; 1. FFC Frankfurt in the German Frauen-Bundesliga; Iga F.C. Kunoichi in the Japanese Nadeshiko League; Mallbackens in the Swedish Damallsvenskan; Brisbane Roar in the former W-League; West Ham United in the FA Women's Super League; and Brann in the Norwegian Toppserien. She has been a member of the Australia women's national team since 2007.

Early life

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Yallop was born in Orange, New South Wales and moved with her family to the Gold Coast at five years of age.[5] She started playing junior football at Five years of age for Mudgeeraba Soccer Club[6] in the local Gold Coast league and attended All Saints Anglican School throughout her upbringing.[7]

Club career

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Yallop preparing to take a corner kick for Wellington Phoenix in 2026.

Brisbane Roar, 2008–2018

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Yallop joined the Brisbane Roar (then the Queensland Roar) in 2008, as they were one of the founding members of the W-League. They won the W-League Championship and Premiership in 2008–09. In the 2010–11 season, Brisbane returned to the Grand Final, where Yallop scored a goal in the 9th minute, helping the team to a 2–1 victory.[8]

She briefly played with the Ottawa Fury in 2010.[9]

Yallop won the Westfield W-League Players Player of the Year Award for the 2012–13 season. She was the recipient of the Julie Dolan Medal for W-League Player of the year in 2014.[10]

As of December 2024, Yallop ranks second in all-time A-League women history with 163 appearances and ranks third for goals with 66.[11]

Boston Breakers, 2012

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Yallop signed with the Boston Breakers in the Women's Premier Soccer League Elite (WPSL Elite), the top division of women's soccer in the United States at the time, for the 2012 season.[12]

FFC Frankfurt, 2013–2014

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In January 2013, Yallop signed for German Frauen-Bundesliga club 1. FFC Frankfurt.[13]

Iga F.C. Kunoichi, 2014

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Yallop was loaned by Brisbane Roar to Iga F.C. Kunoichi along with Elise Kellond-Knight in late May 2014, and returned to Brisbane Roar for the 7th W-League season.[14]

Mallbackens IF, 2016

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In March 2016, Yallop signed for Swedish club Mallbackens.

Klepp IL, 2017–2018

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In March 2017, Yallop signed for Norwegian club Klepp.[15]

Melbourne City, 2018–2019

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After spending ten seasons with the Brisbane Roar, Yallop signed with Melbourne City for the 2018–19 W-League season.[16]

Brisbane Roar, 2019–2021

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In October 2019, the Brisbane Roar announced that Yallop would be returning to Brisbane for the 2019–20 W-League season,[17] where she scored in their first game of the season. On 5 December, Tameka became the first Brisbane Roar player (including men, women and youth) to score 50 goals for the club.[18]

West Ham United, 2021–2022

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In May 2021, Yallop joined English club West Ham United. Playing 16 games with 1 goal in the FAWSL, 3 games in Women's FA Cup and 3 games in FA Women's League Cup.[19] In August 2022, she left the club by mutual consent.[20]

Brann, 2022–2023

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In August 2022, Yallop joined Norwegian club Brann on a one-year contract with a further six months option.[21]

Brisbane Roar, 2023–2026

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In August 2023, Yallop returned to Australia, signing again with Brisbane Roar on a multi-year contract.[22]

After the 2023–24 season, Yallop was selected for the inaugural A-Leagues All Stars Women team that were defeated 1–0 by Women's Super League (WSL) club Arsenal in the 2024 game at Marvel Stadium in Docklands, Melbourne as part of Global Football Week Melbourne.[23]

Despite missing much of the 2025–26 season after pulling her right hamstring,[24] Yallop was again selected for the All Stars, being the first player announced for a team that will play against WSL club Chelsea in the 2026 game at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney as part of the 2026 Sydney Super Cup.[25]

Following Yallop's departure from Brisbane in 2026, the Roar officially retired her shirt number of #13.[26] As from 16 October 2026 she holds the A-League Women's record for second most appearances (189) and second most goals (77) behind long-term rival Michelle Heyman in both cases.[27]: 202–6 

Wellington Phoenix, 2026–

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On 11 August 2026, Yallop signed for New Zealand club Wellington Phoenix.[28][29][30]

International career

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Yallop during 2019 Women's World Cup

Yallop has represented national women's teams at various age levels. She was a member of the Australia women's national under-17 soccer team (Junior Matildas) at the 2007 AFC Women's U-17 Asian Championships and Australia women's national under-20 soccer team (Young Matildas) for the 2008 AFC Women's U-20s Women's Asian Championship. Yallop captained the Young Matildas from 2007 to 2009, which included winning the 2008 AFF Women's Championship.

Yallop has been a member of the senior Australia women's national soccer team (Matildas) since 2007. In her debut game in August against Hong Kong she scored her maiden goal in the Australian's 1–8 victory in Hong Kong in an AFC Olympic Qualifier.[31] She was part of the team that won the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup. Yallop played for Australia at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Australia lost in the quarter-finals in 2011 and 2015.

In 2016, Yallop was named to her first Olympic team for Rio 2016.[32] Australia lost in the quarter-finals and Yallop did not appear in any games.[8]

At the 2017 Tournament of Nations Yallop scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over the United States. This was the first time Australia had ever defeated the United States. The Matildas won the entire tournament.[33]

At the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Yallop appeared in three games for Australia. The Matildas advanced to the final, where they lost 1–0 to Japan. Australia qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup,[34] and was selected by Ante Miličić as part of Australia's 23-player squad for the tournament.[35]

Yallop was a member of the Matildas Tokyo 2020 Olympics squad. The Matildas qualified for the quarter-finals and beat Great Britain before being eliminated in the semi-final with Sweden. In the playoff for the bronze medal, they were beaten by the United States.[36]

Yallop was named by Swedish coach Tony Gustavsson as part of Australia's 23-player squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup on home soil.[37] The Matildas would go on a historic run in the tournament, finishing fourth and bringing the team and women's sport as a whole widespread popularity and mainstream attention throughout the country.

On 4 June 2024, Yallop was named in the Matildas team which qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, her third Olympic games selection.[38][39]

Yallop was ruled out of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup on home soil after pulling her right hamstring,[24] and thus was not selected by coach Joe Montemurro as part of Australia's 26-player squad for the tournament. The Matildas went on to finish runners-up, losing 1–0 to Japan in the final.

Career statistics

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International goals

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Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Butt/Yallop goal.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 4 August 2007 Mong Kok Stadium, Kowloon, Hong Kong  Hong Kong 4–0 8–1 2008 Olympics qualification [31]
2 3 September 2011 Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Jinan, China  Thailand 4–0 5–1
3 11 September 2011 Shandong Provincial Stadium, Jinan, China  South Korea 2–1 2–1 2012 Olympics qualification
4 22 November 2012 Bao'an Stadium, Shenzhen, China  Hong Kong 1–0 4–0 2013 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup preliminary
5 6 July 2013 Stade Jean-Bouin, Angers, France  France 1–0 2–0 Friendly
6 24 November 2013 WIN Stadium, Wollongong, Australia  China 2–0 2–0
7 25 October 2015 Yongchuan Sports Center, Chongqing, China 1–0 1–1 2015 Yongchuan International Tournament
8 27 July 2017 CenturyLink Field, Seattle, United States  United States 1–0 1–0 2017 Tournament of Nations
9 22 November 2017 Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia  China 2–0 3–0 Friendly
10 26 July 2018 Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City, United States  Brazil 2–0 3–1 2018 Tournament of Nations
11 21 July 2021 Ajinomoto Stadium, Chofu, Tokyo, Japan  New Zealand 1–0 2–1 2020 Olympics Group G [40]
12 21 January 2022 Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai, India  Indonesia 13–0 18–0 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup [41]
13 1 November 2023 Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia  Chinese Taipei 3–0 3–0 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament [42]
14 7 December 2024 Kardina Park, Geelong, Australia 2–0 6–0 Friendly [43]

Personal life

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In December 2017, Yallop announced her engagement to her Klepp IL teammate Kirsty Yallop on her Twitter account.[44] The two were married in Mangawhai, New Zealand, on 9 February 2019.[45] Following the marriage, they both took on the surname Yallop.[46] In 2020, they had a daughter named Harley.[47] The couple's second daughter, Nova, was born in 2025.[48][49]

Yallop cited family reasons for choosing to sign for Wellington ahead of the 2026–27 A-League Women season, relocating to Kirsty's home country.[26]

Honours

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Brisbane Roar

Australia

Individual

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020: Squad list, Australia" (PDF). FIFA. 7 July 2021. p. 1. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Official Squad Lists for Rio 2016" (PDF). FIFA. 25 July 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2020.
  3. ↑ "Player profile – Tameka Butt". Brisbane Roar FC. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
  4. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  5. ↑ "When love and finals collide". athletesvoice.com. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  6. ↑ "Q and A with Tameka Butt". Brisbane Roar FC. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  7. ↑ Cartwright, Lexie (23 June 2015). "Gold Coast quartet have helped the Matildas reach the World Cup quarter-finals in Canada". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  8. 1 2 "T.Butt". Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  9. ↑ "Q and A with Tameka Butt". Brisbane Roar. 4 December 2011.
  10. ↑ "Player of the year Tameka Butt's ankle no longer rankles as AFC Women's Asian Cup looms". adelaidenow. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "Australia W-League Women All-time appearances 1–50". worldfootball.net. 5 December 2024. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  12. ↑ "Tameka Butt agrees to terms with Boston Breakers, joins fellow Australian Kyah Simon". Equalizer Soccer. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  13. ↑ Juchem, Marcus (1 February 2013). "Frankfurt holt Australierin Tameka Butt" (in German). WomenSoccer.de. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "Tameka Butt and Elise Kellond-Knight sign with Japanese side Iga FC". The Women's Game. 29 April 2014. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014.
  15. ↑ "Spillere". kleppil.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  16. ↑ "Two Westfield Matildas headline raft of Melbourne City signings". 24 September 2018. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  17. ↑ "Tameka Yallop re-signs with Brisbane Roar". Matildas. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  18. ↑ "Yallop sets 'precious moment' aside in pursuit of Roar wins". Matildas. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  19. ↑ "Tameka Yallop: West Ham United sign Australia international midfielder". BBC Sport. 10 May 2021.
  20. ↑ "Tameka Yallop departs West Ham United". West Ham United. 3 August 2022.
  21. ↑ "Brann forsterker med australsk landslagsspiller" [Brann strengthens with Australian national team player]. Nettavisen (in Norwegian). 3 August 2022.
  22. ↑ "Matilda Tameka Yallop returns to the Roar". Brisbane Roar. 24 August 2023.
  23. ↑ Pisani, Sacha (9 May 2024). "FULL SQUAD: Introducing the first ever A-League All Stars Women team to take on Arsenal". A-Leagues.
  24. 1 2 "Matildas midfielder Tameka Yallop requires surgery, all but ruling her out of home AFC Asian Cup". ABC News. 13 December 2025.
  25. ↑ "Tameka Yallop named first member of Ninja A-League Women All Stars squad". Brisbane Roar. 11 July 2026.
  26. 1 2 Dodd, James (11 August 2026). "Phoenix make statement signing as Yallop joins after emotional Roar exit". A-Leagues. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  27. ↑ Howe, Andrew (16 October 2026). "Official Ninja A-League 2026/27 Season Guide" (PDF). A-Leagues Media Centre. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 October 2026. Retrieved 22 October 2026.
  28. ↑ "Phoenix land 136-cap Matildas star". NZ Herald. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  29. ↑ Wright, Nick (11 August 2026). "'Not saying goodbye': Matildas icon makes stunning reveal on her future". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  30. ↑ "Phoenix celebrate signing of Matildas midfielder". 1News. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  31. 1 2 Esamie, Thomas. "Matildas 2007 Matches". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  32. ↑ "Tameka Yallop". Australian Olympic Committee. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  33. ↑ "Australian women beat U.S. in Tournament of Nations". USA Today. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  34. ↑ "WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP". Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  35. ↑ "Ante Miličić confirms Westfield Matildas squad for France 2019". Matildas. 14 May 2019.
  36. ↑ "Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo 2021". The Roar. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  37. ↑ "MATILDAS SQUAD ANNOUNCED: FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™". Matildas. 3 July 2023.
  38. ↑ "History making Matildas team selected for Paris Olympics". Matildas. Football Australia. 4 June 2024.
  39. ↑ "YALLOP Tameka". Paris 2024 Olympics. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024.
  40. ↑ Esamie, Thomas; Stock, Greg (14 November 2022). "2021 Australia Women's National Team Results". ozfootball. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  41. ↑ Francis, Kieran (21 January 2022). "Matildas 18-0 Indonesia: Goals and highlights from Australia's Asian Cup annihilation". Sporting News. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  42. ↑ "WATCH: CommBank Matildas overcome determined Chinese Taipei 3-0 | Matildas". matildas.com.au. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  43. ↑ "WATCH: CommBank Matildas end 2024 with 6-0 victory over Chinese Taipei | Matildas". matildas.com.au. 7 December 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  44. ↑ Mathew Whitehead (27 December 2017). "Matildas Star Tameka Butt Announces Engagement To Klepp Teammate Kirsty Yallop". SBS.
  45. ↑ "Ex-Football Fern Kirsty Yallop marries Australian player Tameka Butt". New Zealand: Stuff. 12 February 2019.
  46. ↑ @TheMatildas (4 April 2019). "Today is an extra special occasion for @TamekaButt, with a new surname on the back of her jersey following her marriage to @kirstyyallop11" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  47. ↑ "Tameka Yallop | Matildas". 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  48. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  49. ↑ Digital Staff (3 October 2025). "Matildas hero Tameka Yallop celebrates safe arrival of second daughter". 7NEWS. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  50. ↑ "Tameka Yallop". Australian Olympic Committee. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  • Roar, Brisbane. "Tameka Yallop". Brisbane Roar. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
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