| Matilda (Tilly) Kearns | |
| Fullname: | Matilda Emily Kearns |
| Nickname: | Tilly |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Citizenship: | Australian |
| Birth Date: | 2 October 2000 |
| Birth Place: | Sydney |
| Education: | Queenwood School for Girls |
| Years Active: | 2019-present |
| Height: | 176cm |
| Website: | https://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/tilly-kearns/ |
| Country: | Australia |
| Sport: | Water polo |
| Position: | Centre Forward |
| Universityteam: | Sydney Uni Water Polo Club |
| Collegeteam: | USC Trojans |
| Club: | University of Southern California |
| Team: | Aussie Stingers |
| Turnedpro: | 2019 |
| Coach: | Rebecca Rippon |
| Worlds: | 2024 World Aquatics Championships, 6th place2023 World Aquatics Championships, 4th place2022 FINA World Championships, 6th place |
| Olympics: | Tokyo 2020 |
| Module: | Tokyo 2020Paris 2024 |
Matilda Emily Kearns (born October 2, 2000) is an Australian Olympic water polo player who plays for the Australian national team.[1] Her father, Phil Kearns AM, a former Rugby Union player for the Wallabies, and her mother Julie Kearns.
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Tilly began playing water polo for the Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers at the age of 12.
She attended Queenwood School for Girls from 2006-2018[2] where she continued to play for the Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers. She went on to join The University of Sydney's 'Lions' playing center forward, making her debut for the Australian Stingers debut in 2019 at the FINA World League Finals.[3]
She plays for University of Sydney. She plays for University of Southern California.[4]
Kearns was a member of the Australian Stingers squad that competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.[5] [6] By finishing second in their pool, the Aussie Stingers went through to the quarterfinals. They were beaten 8-9 by Russia and therefore did not compete for an Olympic medal.[7]
Her father, Phil, is a member of the Australian Rugby Hall of Fame.[5]