Daily Mail Australia, by James Cooney
Updated on June 12, 2024 at 02:08 and June 12, 2024 at 02:12
- Katrina Gorrie welcomes baby boy into the world
- Gorrie’s partner, Clara Markstedt, gave birth on Sunday.
- The baby’s name was chosen in honor of Markstedt’s late father.
Australian footballer Katrina Gorrie and her partner Clara Markstedt have given birth to a baby boy, giving the Matildas’ unofficial mascot, Harper, a little brother.
Markstedt gave birth to son Coby Peter David Gorrie on Sunday, and the couple announced the happy news in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
The name comes as a moving tribute to Markstedt’s father, Peter Markstedt, who died during last year’s World Cup.
“Our sister is completely in love and our hearts are full,” they wrote.
Gorrie’s teammates, including Charlie Grant, Caitlin Ford and Mackenzie Arnold, sent messages of congratulations on social media.
The West Ham midfielder is recovering from an ankle injury which required surgery in March and ended his WSL season.
However, Gorrie has been selected by coach Toni Gustavsson for his squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics and hopes to train with the team soon.
Gorrie said she was worried about whether she would be able to recover in time, but was more worried about the impact her injuries would have on her life as a mother.
“Being injured as an athlete is tough, but these past two weeks I’ve realized it’s even tougher to be an injured parent,” she posted on Instagram in April.
“I can hear the disappointment in Harper’s voice when I can’t go to the playground with her, or do the simplest things like wipe her after she’s done using the potty, or chase her around the house, or just let her climb on me.”
“She doesn’t understand why and it’s causing her a lot of emotional upheaval.”
“I’ve definitely learned to be grateful for my health and never take the little things for granted.”
“Instagram can sometimes just be a highlight reel, so today I decided to put myself out there. To any parents out there feeling overwhelmed or guilty, you’re OK. These feelings are temporary.”
“When I see a smile like that, I feel like everything is going to be okay.”
Gorlie and Markstedt were teammates at Swedish club Vittsjo GIK before moving to London after Gorlie signed for English club West Ham United.
Ms Gorrie and Ms Markstead announced their engagement earlier this year and plan to marry on Hamilton Island in 2025.
“We’re going to try to keep it as traditional and beautiful as possible,” Gorrie said.
“A lot of the Matildas have been my family for a long time so they’re really excited for me and I want to have them there.”