Meet Mal Meninga’s Kids: Tamika, Zach, Josh, Eva, and Elijah Meninga

Mal Meninga, a towering figure in Australian rugby league, is as revered for his accomplishments on the field as he is for his strong family values. Born Malcolm Norman Meninga on July 8, 1960, in Bundaberg, Queensland, he is 64 years old as of June 7, 2025.

Of Australian South Sea Islander heritage, Meninga stands 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and was raised in a disciplined, values-driven household by his parents, Norman Meninga and Leona Meninga. One of four siblings, including Bevan Meninga, Mal‘s upbringing emphasized respect, resilience, and the importance of family—principles that have guided both his personal life and professional legacy.

Meninga‘s rugby journey began at Maroochydore State High School and progressed through his early career with the Souths Magpies in Brisbane. His path would ultimately lead him to a storied playing career with the Canberra Raiders and the Australian Kangaroos, followed by notable success as a coach.

Meninga has been married twice. His first marriage to Debbie Meninga resulted in two children: Tamika (born 1987) and Josh (born 1988). Following their separation, he married Amanda Meninga in 2012 in a ceremony held in Mexico.

Amanda brought a son from a previous relationship into their blended family, and together they share three children: Elijah (born 2013), Zach (2014), and Eva (2015). Additionally, Meninga has a daughter from a relationship during the 1982 Kangaroo tour of England, whom he first met in 1994.

With six children across two marriages and a life shaped by both sporting excellence and fatherhood, Mal Meninga exemplifies the balance of public achievement and personal devotion.

Tamika Meninga

Tamika Meninga, born around 1987, is Mal’s eldest daughter from his first marriage to Debbie Meninga. At the age of 18, in 2004, Tamika chose to stay in Canberra to pursue a hairdressing apprenticeship at Seven Hair Studio in Braddon while her family relocated to Queensland.

This decision highlighted her independence and determination to carve her path. While Tamika has maintained a relatively low profile compared to her father’s public persona, her choice to remain in Canberra reflects a grounded and focused character rooted in her own ambitions.

Josh Meninga

Josh Meninga, born around 1988, is Mal’s eldest son, also from his first marriage. Like his sister Tamika, Josh grew up during Mal’s illustrious playing and early coaching career with the Canberra Raiders.

In 2016, Josh made headlines when he was involved in an incident at the Hong Kong Sevens, where he had to be rescued by firefighters after passing out in a toilet cubicle, reportedly due to excessive alcohol consumption.

The incident, widely reported by outlets like the Daily Mail, underscored a moment of personal struggle for Josh, who was 28 years old at the time. Despite this, Josh remains part of the Meninga family’s close-knit dynamic, with Mal’s support evident through his storied career and family-oriented values.

Zach Meninga

Zach Meninga, born in early 2014, is one of Mal’s younger children from his second marriage to Amanda Meninga, whom he married in 2012 in Mexico.

Zach’s arrival was a significant moment for Mal, who underwent a reverse vasectomy in 2011 to start a family with Amanda. In an exclusive interview with New Idea in 2014, Mal described holding newborn Zach while celebrating his older brother Elijah’s first birthday as one of the best moments of his life, highlighting the joy of raising young children later in life.

At the time of the family’s move to the Gold Coast in 2018, Zach was around 6 years old, growing up alongside his younger siblings in a bustling household.

Eva Meninga

Eva Meninga, born in October 2015, is Mal and Amanda’s youngest child and only daughter together. Her birth was celebrated as the couple’s fifth child overall, with Amanda, then 44, and Mal, 55, embracing their growing family.

Eva, who was 3 years old when the family relocated to the Gold Coast for Mal’s role with the Gold Coast Titans, has been described as part of the lively trio of young children keeping the Meninga household vibrant.

Mal’s love for having kids around, as he shared in a Woman’s Day interview, underscores the joy Eva brings to the family.

Elijah Meninga

Elijah Henry Brooklyn Meninga, born on February 14, 2013, is the eldest of Mal and Amanda’s three children together. His birth marked a new chapter for Mal, who, after a successful career, returned to fatherhood in his 50s.

Elijah’s arrival was particularly special, following Mal’s reverse vasectomy, a testament to his and Amanda’s commitment to building their family. By 2018, Elijah was 5 years old, and the family had moved to the Gold Coast, where Mal took on the role of Head of Performance and Culture for the Titans.

Elijah, along with Zach and Eva, represents the next generation of Meningas, raised with the values of discipline and family that Mal attributes to his Australian South Sea Islander heritage.