Katrina Gorry sparks flood of messages after Matildas hero and partner share massive news
The Matildas veteran is celebrating the happy news ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Katrina Gorry and partner Clara Markstedt have announced the birth of their first child together in a happy development for the Matildas hero ahead of the Paris Olympics. Gorry and Markstedt revealed the news in a joint announcement on social media on Wednesday morning, welcoming a baby boy named Koby Peter David Gorry into the world.
The couple said Koby was born at 10.36am on Sunday morning, with one of the baby boy's names a touching tribute to Markstedt’s late father Peter - who died during the Women's World Cup last year. Gorry said daughter Harper, who she had before she met Markstedt, is "absolutely in love and our hearts are so full."
Gorry's Matildas teammates Mackenzie Arnold, Charli Grant, Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams were among the many to send messages of congratulations. Gorry met Markstedt in 2022 while they were both playing for Swedish team Vittsjo GIK, and Markstedt announced her retirement at the end of last season in order to start their family.
Gorry moved to West Ham in the Women's Super League this year, but suffered an ankle injury that has thrown her Olympics availability into massive doubt. Speaking in April, the 31-year-old Gorry opened up about juggling being a mother and a professional athlete - especially an injured one.
“It’s tough being injured while being an athlete but I’ve found over the past two weeks that it’s tougher being an injured parent,” she said. “The disappointment in Harper’s voice when I can’t come to the playground with her or just do the simplest of things like wipe her when she’s finished on the toilet, chase her around the house or just let her climb all over me.
“She doesn’t understand why and her emotions have been so big because of it. It’s definitely taught me to be grateful for my health and to never take the small things for granted.”
She paid a lovely tribute to Markstedt and Vittsjo when her time at the club ended last year. “To my Vittsjo GIK family, THANK YOU," she wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for giving me this opportunity, for welcoming us with open arms and for taking care of our little girl.
“Thank you to our incredible supporters, to my team, to our coaching staff and most of all our incredible Nannies. This has become our home for the last two years but it’s time to say goodbye and set off on a new adventure. I came here with a 6-month-old and I’m leaving with a bilingual 2-year-old, a beautiful fianceé and people that will hold a place in our hearts forever.”
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Matildas coach full of confidence despite injury concerns
Gorry will be a vital cog for the Matildas at the Paris Olympics, but only if she can overcome her ankle injury. The veteran midfielder wasn't available for recent friendlies against China, but was selected by coach Tony Gustavsson in the Olympics squad.
Despite Sam Kerr not playing in Paris following knee surgery and Gorry and Caitlin Foord under fitness clouds, Gustavsson believes "anything is possible". He said this week: "What we do know with the Olympics, though, is it's tough just to get out of the groups. It's 12 teams. We're ranked nine in that tournament of the 12 teams, which means it should be eight other teams in the quarter-finals according to ranking.
"If you look at our injury situation right now, with a lot of players unavailable, everyone would say, 'Hey, they won't even make it out of the group'. That thought doesn't even exist in our talks. It's all about that opening game against Germany. Get the points we need to get out of the group, because that's like step one. Once we get out of the group, anything can happen. It's so tight now at the top level of women's football. Anyone can beat anyone.
"You just need to make sure you get off that group. Then after that, once we're in playoffs, we saw what this team can deliver in playoff games when it's do-or-die situations. They love it."
with AAP
