MACCA: My Story So Far

by Mackenzie Arnold, Emma Kemp (with)

Australia’s own ‘Minister of Defence’, Mackenzie Arnold, shares the inspiring story of the winding road that led to her becoming the Matildas top goalkeeper, including the magical World Cup run that captivated a nation, and what it takes in your heart to take on the world.

Matildas fever swept across the country during the 2023 World Cup campaign, filling stadiums beyond capacity, uniting communities and inspiring the next generation of world-class athletes. In one of the iconic ‘where-were-you-when’ moments in Australian sports history, the Matildas faced down the French in an epic penalty shootout that would propel them through to the semifinals for the first time ever. Standing on the collective brilliance of her teammates, it was Macca’s courage, leadership, steel-eyed focus and heroics in front of goal that won the hearts of a nation. We’ll never forget the outstretched arms, the roar of victory, green and gold flooding the pitch.

But heroes don’t just fall from the sky. Storybook endings often belie a lifetime’s work, and the making of Mackenzie Arnold began well before that electric night in August.

Macca’s story is one of dizzying heights and hard-won lessons. Whether it’s facing down her doubts and fears to find the courage to be her truest self on and off the pitch; using her temporary setbacks to inspire others; or shouldering the hopes of a nation to deliver moments that transcend sport, Mackenzie Arnold has packed a lot into her life so far.

Honest, funny, brave and inspired, Macca shares her story here for the first time: the family and first-believers who supported and challenged her from the beginning; the coaches and mentors who pushed her beyond her comfort zone and provided the blueprint of a champion; the rivals and teammates who transformed the Matildas into a global force to be reckoned with.

And for her next act? Heroics and storybook endings are best left unscripted, but if Mackenzie Arnold has taught us one thing it’s this: Don’t blink.

Genres: Nonfiction, Football, Soccer, Biography, Sports

304 pages, Trade Paperback

First published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Cheyenne Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Read it in one day. Although Macca is a professional athlete and I'm very definitely not, her story resonated in so many ways. She has a lot to say, and says it eloquently.

[Jules Billings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really enjoyed reading this! I learned so much about women's soccer, and it was cool to hear the behind-the-scenes workings of a game that I had the privilege of watching.

[Isabella Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love our minister for defence

[Chelsea McCredie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book. Very inspiring! Coming from a goalkeeper Macca is someone I admire to be and taking a look at behind the scenes about what she was going through you would never imagine.

[Ashlea O’Shaughnessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this one via Audio book and finished it in 2 days!! Was so refreshing to hear Macca’s story - it was one of hard work, determination and commitment. So worth it if you love womens sport or the Matilda’s in general

[Brittany Elliott]

Loved getting to have insight in to Macca’s journey through her career and particularly the recent World Cup. There were a few moments that had me wiping a tear. Mackenzie hasn’t had an easy rise to the top and reading her honesty and vulnerability is refreshing and I see a lot of myself in her words.

I did struggle a little bit with the format/writing of this book. It was not the best and I struggled that the timeline frequently changed. it also required you to have quite a bit of existing knowledge about Macca and her journey. I think if you weren’t already a fan and picked up this book, you would struggle a little bit with the timelines.

Overall, glad I read it because I adore Mackenzie and her story is a great one - but it’s not over yet!

[Charlotte Squire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until reading Macca, I was unaware of the struggles Mackenzie Arnold faced before the 2023 Women’s World Cup. It truly is a testament to her character to face so much external and internal pressure, and come out on top after years of dedication. I relate so much to her struggles with taking professional decisions as a personal reflection of your own worth. The foreword and starting chapter perfectly set the tone of Mackenzie’s biography, a personal reflection upon over a decades worth of determination and perseverance. Mark Schwarzer writing the foreword was a clever decision, that helped frame Mackenzie’s story from an outside perspective. The starting chapter being the record breaking France game, and Mackenzie’s internal thoughts and perspective was a well thought out decision. That moment was when Mackenzie was thrust into National stardom, it solidified her place as the Matilda’s number 1 and was also a pivotal moment for the entire team and women’s football in general. I liked the conversational tone utilised in Macca, it helped keep me engaged when things got repetitive; it felt like a friend recounting a story from their life. I especially loved the added excerpts from coaches, friends, players, family, and even Darren Lockyer! The additional excerpts really helped flesh out Mackenzie’s biography, and it added an outside perspective on important events. There were so many things that resonated with me in Macca, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I’ll always be cheering on our Minister for Defence!!

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting as a long time Tillies fan to become privy to the behind the scenes of iconic moments and games, and also the different dynamics between the team and also trainers. Macca was refreshingly honest and held herself accountable while sharing her long, and often frustrating, journey to becoming the Tillies #1 goalkeeper. You can actually feel the shift in her perspective and confidence in the writing. It was inspiring to read about her transition from someone who cared too much about what others thought and allowed insecurities and doubts get the best of her, to someone who was confident, comfortable and was able to enjoy playing again. Love Macca ❤️

[Emily Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Macca’s book gives such insight into the ups and downs of being a goalkeeper and just how isolating it can be at times.

This wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, but as a fan of Macca I was hooked, I liked how vulnerable she was with her stories of her struggles over the years of coming up through the Matildas ranks and the victory of her time at the 2023 World Cup.

If you’re a fan of Macca/The Matildas I would also recommend this, I think anyone with little background knowledge of the Matildas might get a bit lost as the book chops and changes timelines a fair bit.

[Jessie 🍉 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this insight into Macca’s early career, her struggles with becoming 1st choice keeper, her friendship with alanna and caitlin and her World cup experience 💛💚 UP THE TILLIES 🗣️

[Danielle Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to read a player's perspective of what happens in an international football team.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5!! 🤍🤍🤍 erg mooi geschreven

[readingwithmissbec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Macca - My story so far
Publisher: @penguinbooksaus

Macca the Matilda’s #1 goalkeeper shares her story!

I love autobiographies!

I am a HUGE soccer fan but bigger Matildas fan (and socceroos too)

I got this book as a wedding anniversary gift from my wife

Let’s say within 36 hours I’ve finished it!

Learning about Maccas struggles and what she went through to become no 1 was intense.

Bigger for me was learning about what she went through as a deaf adult with hearing aids, knowing I could connect with this. I felt very connected to Macca through this book!

I loved learning what drives her, what motivates her, how she became who she is! She truly is an inspiration! This book was FANTASTIC!

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

[Richard Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect. Could hardly put it down.

Captures the emotion of the 2023 World Cup, whilst exploring Macca’s backstory in colourful, humorous detail. I loved the way Macca shares her vulnerability and self-doubts without going overboard. She’s a great self-analyser and this books shows the way she’s grown into being Australia’s Minister of Defence. Outstanding.

Kudos to both Mackenzie and Emma Kemp, the ghost writer. Easy to read. Captivating. The excerpts from important people in Macca’s life that were interwoven throughout were also great.

[Emily Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I am a goalkeeper myself and to have watched Macca perform at the well known game against France was just spectacular. I really liked how she was in depth with her writing and how she took in every detail like with her conjunctivitis. I would really recommend this book for any goalkeeper and any fan of the Matilda’s or Macca.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Macca for putting pen to paper, what a privilege to read the story so far! Incredible insight into the trials, tribulations and utter resiliency our Aussie girl has shown as she clawed her way to the top of elite women’s soccer as goalkeeper no less. So rad!

[Charlotte Dougherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected this book to be as incredible as the world knows Macca is but I certainly didn’t expect it to hit so close to home and to mean so much. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so seen in the way I did while reading this book. Incredible 🥹

[Helen Claybourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, open and genuine story. Inspiring to read. Loved it!
As a goalkeeper for my local club I could really relate to the feelings from being in the goal box, the responsibility and blame you can put on yourself. Very enjoyable read.

[Mads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a sports biography, and I love Mackenzie Arnold 🤩🫶
Such great insight into the world of being a professional sportsman

[Mbuchanan06 · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who played soccer my whole life I loved reading the ins and out of soccer at that higher level. Wasn’t the most high brow literature sure, but really vulnerable and real. Can recommend!

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, appreciated Macca having the courage the share her own challenges, particularly around mindset and how she dealt with disappointment throughout her early career.

[Jess Nicholls · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story of persistence.
I can’t wait to see what Mackenzie Arnold achieves next.
I’m off to check the Nike store for her goalkeeper top.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

quickest book I’ve ever read (read it in like a week) and that’s saying a lot for me!

[Katie Steuerwald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read finding out more about her progress and mindset changes over her career so far

[Harriet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved reading this, but she’s clearly an athlete and not a writer. It could have benefited from more editing input to keep the story but enhance the writing.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, very in depth and insightful.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad a bit chatty and repetitive

[Renee Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appreciated Macca's honesty about the ups and downs of her career so far.

[Cait · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I think it was well written and gave a great insight to her journey! As well as the teams during that World Cup.

[Carlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

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