Sports stars Joe and Renae Ingles welcomed twins on July 26 and named them Jacob Antony and Milla Bernadette. Joe has played basketball in Australia, Spain and Israel; he currently plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA and is a member of the national squad, the Boomers, for which he has played at every Olympics since 2008. The winner of two gold medals and a silver at the FIBA Oceania Championships, Joe also won the Gaze medal in 2009 for being the best player in the Boomers. Renae is a netball champion who currently plays for the Adelaide Thunderbirds and for the national team, the Diamonds. She has won gold at the Netball World Championships, gold and silver at the Commonwealth Games, and bronze at the World Netball Series. She has won numerous awards, including Diamonds International Player twice.
Rugby union footballer Christian Lealiifano and his partner Luga Lam-Young welcomed their first child in June and named their son Jeremih. Jeremih is named after Luga’s favourite singer, but also with the biblical character of Jeremiah in mind. Christian was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia as a small boy. He has played for the Brumbies since 2007 and for the national squad, the Wallabies, since 2013. Last month fans were shocked to hear new dad Christian had been diagnosed with leukaemia: we wish Christian all the best with his treatment.
Football player Massimo Luongo, and his wife Shelley, welcomed their first child on June 15 and named their son Maxwell [pictured]. Massimo’s name is the Italian form of Maximus, so this seems like a way to honour dad without using the same name. Massimo has played football in England since 2011, and currently plays for Queens Park Rangers in the Championship League; he also plays for the national team, the Socceroos.
Former AFL footballer Brent Reilly, and his wife Jamie, welcomed their first child on June 22 and named their son Jax Cameron. Brent played for the Adelaide Crows for 13 years, retiring last year.
Former cricketer and national batting coach Greg Blewett, and his wife Katheryn, welcomed their second child on July 26 and named him Rory James, a brother for Samuel, aged 18 months; Samuel’s birth was covered on the blog. Greg has a teenaged daughter named Taylor from his previous marriage to Jodie Blewett, now Oddy, who has been featured on the blog as a celebrity mum.
Former Australian rules player Mathew Seal, and his wife Kate Twigley, welcomed their first child on August 30 and named him Levi Samuel. Mathew played in the WAFL, while Kate is the sister of model Rebecca Judd, who has been featured on the blog as a celebrity mum.
Waltzing More Than Matilda 