Emily Van Egmond, star midfielder of the Matildas, has officially tied the knot with her partner Kat Thompson at the picturesque Krinklewood Estate vineyard, set against the stunning backdrop of New South Wales' Hunter Valley. The wedding, held on Friday, was said to resemble a Matildas reunion, as many of her teammates were present to celebrate the special occasion.
Beaming from ear to ear, the couple walked hand-in-hand to greet their guests after the ceremony, which highlighted their affection and joy. Thompson looked radiant in her elegant white wedding dress, complemented by Van Egmond’s stylish black dinner jacket complete with a bow tie, symbolizing their unique blend of tradition and modernity.
Among the notable attendees was Sam Kerr, another prominent Matildas player, who brought along her pregnant fiancée, Kristie Mewis. The two were already surrounded by excitement as they posed for pictures with Ireland and Arsenal star Katie McCabe, alongside her partner Caitlin Foord. Also present were Matildas greats like Clare Polkinghorne, Mackenzie Arnold, and Steph Catley. Lydia Williams, who recently retired from international football following the Paris Olympics, made her appearance wearing a stunning red and white dress.
Guests at the Krinklewood Estate could choose from several breathtaking venues for the ceremony, including the courtyard, fountain garden, or tiered lawn overlooking the vineyard and the Brokenback mountain range. This idyllic setting added to the charm of the nuptials, which lasted approximately two hours and thirty minutes from Sydney.
Van Egmond, who plays for San Diego Wave FC, proposed to Thompson back in June 2022, delighting fans and followers alike with joyful Instagram posts celebrating their engagement on the beach in San Diego. Growing up in Newcastle as the daughter of former Socceroo and Newcastle Jets coach Gary Van Egmond, she has made significant marks on the field, achieving 153 caps for the Matildas and competing at three Olympic Games.
Discussing her relationship with Thompson, Van Egmond noted how happy and content she feels, stating, "I feel like she brings out a really good side of me. I'm very happy." Their connection has blossomed since they first met back in 2022, and they publicly announced their relationship on Valentine’s Day 2023.
The celebration included other Matildas stars such as Hayley Raso, recently signed by Tottenham, who shone brightly in her flowing blue dress, alongside Alanna Kennedy and Steph Catley, both of whom appeared delighted as they celebrated the couple’s union.
Sam Kerr, who is currently sidelined with an ACL injury until early 2025, was spotted mingling among the guests, sharing moments with her father Roger and capturing the day's events with numerous social media updates. Kerr, 31, alongside the father of her child Kristie Mewis, who plays for the US women's national team, has had much to celebrate this year, including the announcement of their pregnancy earlier.
Mewis was spotted cradling her baby bump, showcasing her glowing happiness alongside Kerr, as the couple has navigated their relationship since 2020. The wedding also marked the first significant gathering for the Matildas following mixed results throughout 2023, including their failure to progress beyond the group stages at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Arnold, who transitioned from West Ham to play for Portland Thorns earlier this year, and McCabe, who is enjoying her relationship with Foord, added to the warm atmosphere as they mingled with other guests and posed for celebratory photographs.
While the joyous occasion marked personal milestones for many of the attendees, the Matildas are also undergoing significant transitions as they search for a new head coach following the departure of Tony Gustavsson. The future of the team remains bright, as they prepare for the upcoming women's Asian Cup, and interest grows concerning the future leadership of the team as Football Australia seeks to find the right candidate.
The wedding, which took place hours after the couple hosted pre-wedding drinks at Enzo Cafe, was filled with laughter, love, and camaraderie among teammates, solidifying the bonds within the Matildas team.
