Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Global soccer star, proud WA export, brand ambassador, and new mother — Sam Kerr has been kicking goals, and setting new ones, since she debuted for Perth Glory at just 15.
While some might argue the Matildas captain has reached the twilight of her career, the doting mum to one-year-old Jagger and wife to US player Kristie Mewis has embarked on possibly her most rewarding chapter yet.
Kerr, 32, and Mewis, 35, welcomed their son in May 2025, a milestone that forced the West Aussie to prepare for the next phase of her life and career.
In May of this year, the striker announced her departure from UK heavyweight Chelsea following six and a half years and 116 goals at the club.
A month later, it was revealed she had signed with New York’s Gotham FC through 2030, a club Kerr had earlier represented across 2015-2017.
The striker does not suggest proximity to Mewis’ family and her a greater support network sparked the move, and insists success on-field remains high on her agenda.
“I had to weigh up everything, it was no different to any other footballing decision I had made,” Kerr told PerthNow.
That’s not to say the athlete-turned-parent has shirked from her most important job, crediting Jagger for shifting her perspective on life.
The tot is frequently featured in Kerr and Mewis’ social media adventures — spotted at match days across the globe, and holidays when Kerr’s international duties permit.
But the forward’s lean into her softer side has not affected her hard-edge on the pitch, scoring three goals from five appearances this season.
“He’s (Jagger) obviously given me a new outlook on life but mostly in my personal life, making every day so much better,” Kerr said.
“As an athlete I like to keep it separate and still take my job as serious as I previously did.”
While the star’s prominent international career has led her to partner with global brands such as Nike, Richard Mille, and Mastercard, Kerr’s latest collaboration is perhaps her most appropriate for right now.
Earlier this year, she partnered with Bonds’ for their WonderGrow campaign, a decision that reflected her evolving priorities, and kinship with parents across Australia.
It was even a callback to her own youth.
“I think it was a full circle, I always wore Bonds or had Bonds in and around my family so to now have Jagger and be dressing him in Bonds felt really cool,” she said.
“Having a new baby the partnership felt really organic and everyone in Australia knows Bonds is an iconic brand for baby clothes!”
Kerr’s greatest tip for new parents: “Routine routine routine! Jagger responds well to a consistent day.”
Although the forward’s current contract will keep her in the US for several years, she has made off-field moves that point to a future in WA in some capacity.
Kerr and Mewis purchased a 200sqm block of land in North Coogee’s South Beach for $940,000 in August 2023, with the pair seen last year in July inspecting construction of their dream home.
Kerr was born in East Fremantle, the sister of retired Eagles player Daniel, and grew up in the southern suburb of Kardinya.
Remarkably, she was picked to play for Perth Glory in 2008 during the inaugural A-League Women season, then known as the W-League.
And despite her world-beating accomplishments since, the star has never lost sight of her roots.
“WA is home, it’s so special to come home every time because I have so many amazing memories and all my friends and family there. I’ve been gone so long now but it always has a special feeling when we land,” Kerr said.
It’s what led the international star to lure her global network of friends and teammates to WA’s Swan Valley for her wedding on New Year’s Eve last year.
Kerr and Mewis — with Jagger in tow — wed at the picturesque Villa Dionysus, a grand Lake Como-style estate enveloped by trees and vineyards.
“I was honestly so happy so many people travelled out to Perth for the wedding, we had guests from all over the world and to have that many people make such an effort for us was special,” the West Aussie added.
The private yet decadent affair was an opportunity for Kerr to let her hair down among friends new and old, with images released by the pair suggesting she and her wife did just that.
“One thing a lot of people don’t actually know about me is I’m quite shy,” she said.
“I know I’m in the public eye but I am quite a shy and reserved person with people I don’t know. I think people see me on the pitch and think I am always like that!”
However, Kerr is grateful to play her part in drawing more eyeballs to the women’s game.
As captain of the Matildas since 2019, she says there’s a “craze” around the national team and is proud to be a role model for emerging players.
Now, it’s not just her shining on the world stage, but fully emerged stars like Mary Fowler and Ellie Carpenter.
“Hopefully we are inspiring the next gen!” she said.
