Sport

Football

Family

Partner - Caitlin
Child - Poppy, 18months

Get to know Andrew

He was substituted into the game against Peru by coach Graham Arnold in what was one of the biggest calls in Australian sport, Redmayne replaced Socceroos captain Matt Ryan for the penalty shoot out to decide a spot in the FIFA World Cup later this year.

Dubbed the ‘Grey Wiggle’, Redmayne’s unorthodox antics of dancing in the goal and waving his arms worked as he successfully put off the Peru penalty takers before saving one diving to his right to send Australia to another World Cup.

A remarkable effort considering he was on the verge of quitting professional soccer a few years earlier after stints at his home club the Mariners, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne City, West Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC, where he won back-to-back A League Titles – before becoming an unlikely Australian sporting hero.

In time, Andrew hopes daughter Poppy will be as proud of his efforts on the soccer field as the rest of Australia that one day in June.

“It meant the world to me Poppy was able to see me wearing the green and gold … she won’t remember it, but I certainly will, and it’ll be a memory that I’ll cherish forever,” Andrew said “She came to the game in Melbourne and was able to come onto the pitch afterward- it was a moment I had dreamt of ever since starting a family.

“She changed the routine on a lot of things and made me think about the bigger picture of life, such as asking for a long-term contract to have security to ensure her future as much as ours.”

Andrew is the apple of Poppy's eye. He is the most wonderful Dad. He provides so much entertainment to Poppy every day- the way he is with her brings tears to my eyes often.  From cooking us hearty, healthy meals to getting down on the floor and playing anything and everything with her- he is the best dad!

Caitlin

QDo you spend much time away from the family during the football season? How hard is that and how do you keep in contact?

AThe last season was tough, the national team and Sydney FC's participation in the Asian Champions League meant I spent around three months on the road plus away trips for the A-League. It's extremely challenging. Poppy (1) is our first child, so missing three months of her first year meant I’ve had to watch her grow and develop over Facetime. I think that came out subconsciously in my celebration after saving the penalty at the World Cup qualifier - Poppy loves that face when I pull it. As she’s grown, her interest in Facetime has withered, so it’s the one face that makes her smile and gets her attention again!

QWhat’s your favourite activity with Poppy?

AI love making babychinos for her in the morning before going to training on my coffee machine. Other than that, she loves the park … she's a go-getter so always wants to go down the big slide. I have to go up and down with her otherwise it would result in lots of tears.

QHow big an inspiration is Poppy to your career, do you make a point to involve her and the family as much as possible?

AHuge, I think everything has changed since we have had Poppy. I love when I can get her onto the pitch after a match and let her have a run/kick where possible too. No more so than at Leichhardt Oval (she loves her planes too), and this ground is right under the flight path, so she probably spends more time pointing them out than me! I just want her to be proud of her Dad. It will be cool to see when she actually understands what I do.

QAfter your save in the recent World Cup qualification against Peru Caitlin mentioned the face you pulled was a tribute to Poppy. Is she always on your mind when you play football?

AI wouldn't say always, but she crosses my mind a lot. In the heat of the action, I don't think of much else other than the job at hand. But when they have a corner up the other end I like to switch off for a moment and will often think of Poppy and my wife, wondering what they are up to, maybe in the bath (if playing an away game) and that always makes me smile.

QWhats the best thing about being a dad?

AThere isn't one thing, the whole journey is amazing and one that I'm so blessed to be on with my wife. Some days are hard yes, but you get a smile of a giggle or even the goodnight kiss and it instantly wipes the worries and days' struggles away.

QOn game days, do you like to relax with the family or do they understand to keep away from you?

ANo, I like to keep things as normal as possible. We will take Poppy and the dog for a walk in the morning to the park and let them run around, after a babychino of course. Then I’ll be home until work to be with the girls and play with them! 

QWhen Poppy gets older will you be involved in her Community Sport and do you have an idea what she would like to do?

AShe's starting to throw balls around, her hand-eye coordination is impressive for an 18-month-old too … already moving her hands towards balls to catch them, so she might have some talent? But, again she's a go-getter, and never sits still, so she has my energy and is always on the run. We will definitely get her into sports, what she chooses is up to her when she's old enough, She's loving ball pits, crash mats, and gymnastic-type things at the moment and is fearless when she attacks them! So for now that is what we have her doing to burn off her endless energy.

QTell us about your wife Caitlin, as the amazing mum she is? 

ACaitlin, besides Poppy, is the best thing that has happened to me. Even before Poppy she was so supportive of me and the pursuit of my goals in my career and has always afforded me the support to go and get them. She has had to put up with me being away in covid times in lockdown and hotel quarantines, flying solo with Poppy and she never complains - even when I think she should because it must be extremely hard for her what she goes through working and looking after Poppy so well. Especially with no family around to help her also. So yes Caitlin is amazing and I'm so so ever grateful for her, not only for what she does for me but what she also does for Poppy.

Now let's hear from Caitlin

QWhat makes Andrew such a great father?

AHe looks out for us all, he goes above and beyond in any instance to ensure we have what we need and are smiling. He makes a goose of himself and you can just tell he gets the biggest kick out of Poppy laughing at him! He is entirely invested in the welfare of his family.

QRaising a family is difficult and it’s a team effort.  What tasks does Andrew enjoy doing as a parent?

AWithout sounding cliched...EVERYTHING! He enjoys cooking, bathtime, changing nappies, bedtime, getting up overnight, to letting me sleep in. We are a great team. He is a great cook, so I think he enjoys watching Poppy enjoy his food. I also think he really enjoys taking Poppy to the park and playing outside with her

QHow hard is it when he has to be away from home?

AI'm not going to lie- it's really challenging! Especially now Poppy is older and she misses him just as much, if not more than me! She calls out for him ... "Dadda?" She has only just overcome this wild separation anxiety from when he was last away. She would scream if he left the room. Andrew is super hands-on so we definitely miss him when he is away from home. I work in healthcare, so still being in the middle of a global pandemic have had to work long hours and am unable to take leave at short notice, so when he is away it is exhausting! He is my best friend too so yes, I miss him a lot when he is away. It is not easy on him being away either- and that's hard in itself. I know he misses us too...having to rely on facetime to see your daughter’s development must be wild.