These football teammates found love off the pitch with the help of an incredible proposal
Two footballing teammates have got engaged in the cutest sunset and sunrise proposal you can imagine.
Tameka Butt, a star for Australia’s national side, was central to her team beating Brazil, US and Japan on the way to winning the Tournament of Nations this summer.
And the year has gotten even better for her, after she found love on the pitch.
Butt, 26, and Kirsty Yallop – who has played 90 times for New Zealand – are both midfielders at Norwegian team Klepp IL.
And as it turns out, their on-pitch connection has transformed into an off-pitch engagement.
Butt posted on social media yesterday with the heartwarming news, writing: “We are officially ENGAGED @kirstyyallop11 “.
She explained the romantic way in which the pair had proposed to each other.
“I asked Kirsty when the sun went down with the heart of lights on the hill and Kirsty asked me with the sunrise on the beach “.
With Australia finally legalising same-sex marriage this year, the engaged couple will be able to get married in either of their home countries.
Teammates and other well-wishers from the world of football and beyond posted their congratulations to the pair.
Lisa De Vanna, Australia’s co-captain, wrote: “Big congrats meeks!! Happy for you guys!! “.
Portland Thorns’ Director of Goalkeeping Nadine Angerer expressed her support, saying: “Congrats my friend @TamekaButt “.
Former Australia vice-captain Moya Dodd wrote: “Congrats and best wishes Meeks! ”
And The Roar Corps, the fan club for Australian side Brisbane Roar, said: “A massive congratulations to you and Kirsty on your engagement Meeks”.
Though there are still no openly gay footballers in the men’s Premier League in the UK – and very few in other leagues – the women’s game has slightly more LGBT visibility.
England captain Casey Stoney came out publicly in 2014.
Since then, she and her partner – former Lincoln teammate Megan Harris – have had twins.
Lianne Sanderson, another England international, has also come out as a lesbian.
