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Sports stars Max and Greer’s perfect proposal

The athletes are looking forward to planning a wedding – in between their footy and netball seasons!
Max Mata and Greer Sinclair posing on a beach showing off the engagement ringPictures: Robert Trathen

He’s the striking local star of Auckland’s newest professional football team and she’s the talented South Auckland gal coming back to play for her hometown netball franchise.

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It’s easy for us to label Auckland FC and All Whites forward Max Mata and Northern Stars defender Greer Sinclair New Zealand’s next sporting power couple because, well, they clearly are!

But as the athletes, both 24, chat with Woman’s Day about their recent engagement and grand plans for their bright future, Max and Greer are quite simply happy to be finally living in the same city after being together for eight years.

“We still can’t quite believe we’re in the same place, playing for teams in the same city,” laughs Greer. “It’s actually been so nice to finally live together and not have to do long distance. Max has been all around the world in the past six years with his contracts. So, I’d play my netball season here, then head to wherever he was for the other six months each year. There were a lot of video chats, messages and travel, I can tell you!”

Max Mata kicking the all for the Auckland FC football team
Max in action for Auckland FC.
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Max continues, “It’s been such a different experience being at home. I have a life outside of football, which I’ve never had before! It’s so nice going to training, then coming home to family, friends and obviously, Greer.”

And, of course, the sparkling diamond on Greer’s finger has contributed to the couple’s palpable happiness. It’s the latest chapter in their love story that began when they were just 16-year-old high school sweethearts and has seen them both rise to dizzying heights in their respective sports.

Max – who has played football in Switzerland, Estonia, the US and Ireland, and is currently on loan to Auckland FC from the English team Shrewsbury Town – says proposing to the love of his life in August was the cherry on top of an incredible homecoming.

“I had a pretty detailed plan about how I was going to do it,” he tells. “We hadn’t seen each other for about six months, so I really wanted to get it right. I even hired a proposal planner and designed the ring myself.”

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Greer Sinclair in action for the Northern Stars netball team
Greer in action.

Determined to pull off an engagement for the ages, Max orchestrated an elaborate plan. It involved a little bit of subterfuge and a lot of attention to detail – much to the surprise and delight of Greer!

She says, “It all began when he came back to Christchurch, where I was living while playing for the Tactix. He surprised me by sliding his phone over to me. On it was his contract with Auckland FC he hadn’t told me about it!

“I was so happy, of course. When we haven’t seen each other in a while, we always try to plan a surprise for each other, so then he said we were going to a launch event for the team. In hindsight, though, that didn’t make much sense – why would it be in Christchurch?!”

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Instructed to dress “fancy”, Greer was led to a restaurant with a table set for two, a platter and a bottle of bubbles. Still, though, she hadn’t clicked.

She laughs, “I thought maybe it was to celebrate his contract. Then he directed me to a sign that said, ‘Will you marry me?’ and I then heard a photographer click his camera. I turned to Max and he was on one knee with the gorgeous ring. It was the most special thing. Then it was time for my surprise for him, which was, conveniently, the hot pools next door!”

Max Mata on one knee proposing to Greer Sinclair
A shocked Greer says yes! “Everything was perfect,” she tells.

The pair has now settled on Auckland’s North Shore and for the first time, Max, who would usually be away playing football during the much-shorter netball season, has even got to watch Greer play in the ANZ Premiership.

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They’re similar as people – although Greer is, by her admission, much chattier – and as Max says, they have the same interests. “We’re both mad on food, family and the outdoors.”

Greer smiles, “I love his determination. He went overseas at such a young age and lived alone so he could achieve his professional football dream. He’s so caring – like, looking at the engagement, he put in so much effort to ensure every detail was perfect.”

As for Max, he adores Greer’s approach to life. He says, “She just makes people’s days better. She operates on a very positive frequency and her positivity rubs off on the people around her. She’s kind, considerate and happy!”

The couple smiling in front of a view across the water of Rangitoto Island, with Greer's hand on Max's chest, showing off the ring
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The stunning couple is looking forward to planning a wedding in between their Auckland FC and Northern Stars commitments, and they’re thrilled to be doing so in their home city. Max says the vibe around his new club has just been incredible.

“We’ve got so much backing and support, and it’s so cool,” he says. “It’s been a long time since Auckland has had a professional football team.”

And Greer is super-excited to be back playing for the Stars. It’s the club where she started her professional career as a training partner.

“The fact that both Max and I can just go to training and then go for a date night… It’s amazing!” she laughs.

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