Alumna stars off the field at the FIFA Women’s World Cup

Ms Yallop juggled her role as an expert commentator for Sky Sports alongside her appointment onto the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG).

The FIFA TSG is a 12-strong team with members selected from across six continents who carried out technical, tactical and physical analysis during the World Cup. Supported by 52 football analysts, data analysts, data scientists, data engineers and performance analysts, the TSG shared the most modern metrics and performance data in the tournament’s history with the worldwide television and online audience.

They also provided detailed reports after every game, containing match statistics relating to the in- and out-of-possession phases on both team and individual levels. As well as analysing the on-field action, the TSG also studied trends and benchmarks for the future of the women’s game and their impact on coach education and talent development.

Along with her TSG colleagues, Ms Yallop was responsible for selecting the players for the FIFA awards, including the Golden, Silver and Bronze Ball prizes; the Golden, Silver and Bronze Boot awards, the Golden Glove, the FIFA Young Player Award and the FIFA Fair Play Trophy.

Her selection onto the TSG is the latest step in Ms Yallop’s footballing journey. Her illustrious playing career saw her play professionally in the United States of America, Sweden, Australia and Norway and achieve 104 caps for the Football Ferns. Upon retirement, she has moved seamlessly into the off-field domains of athlete mentor, media personality and expert analyst.

Ms Yallop attributes some of the success in her career to her decision to pursue further study whilst playing, opting to complete a master’s degree through the School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition.

Supported by a Prime Minister’s Scholarship and the university’s flexible ‘athlete-friendly’ approach, Ms Yallop was able to complete her thesis under the supervision of Associate Professor Andy Foskett, despite professional contracts basing her in Australia, Sweden and Norway throughout the duration of her studies.

She attributes the skills and attributes that postgraduate study developed as a major factor in her off-field football success.

“Interestingly, despite Andy and I both having strong footballing backgrounds, we decided to focus my master’s thesis on a different sport [Rugby 7s]. This forced me to step outside my comfort zone and stretched me with regards to critical, independent thinking and writing, and also developed my approach to analysis of performance. All of which I now bring to my role within the Technical Study Group and also as a commentator and pundit.”

Despite playing more than 100 times for New Zealand, Ms Yallop’s allegiance during the World Cup was split as her wife Tameka Yallop was part of the Australian national team whose achievements inspired a nation.

Given the success of the tournament, its positive impact across the host nations, and the wonderful growth and appeal of women’s football globally, her post-field achievements are likely to continue to flourish and the attributes that she developed during her studies will surely stand her in good stead.