Romeoville, Ill. – Lewis University is proud to celebrate alumna Jenny (Bourne) Bindon, who recently made soccer history alongside her son, Tyler Bindon, as the first mother-son duo to appear in FIFA World Cups.
Bindon attended Lewis University from 1998-2000 following four years of service in the United States Coast Guard, where she worked as a physical fitness instructor in Cape May, New Jersey. A two-sport athlete for the Flyers, Bindon competed in both women's soccer and women's basketball. She began her college career at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville where she played soccer, basketball and tennis.
On the soccer field, Bindon played as a goalkeeper and a forward, starting all 16 matches during her debut season with the Flyers. She finished tied for second on the team with two goals and five points in the outfield. Between the sticks, she recorded a 1.97 goals-against average and 11 total saves. She would graduate in December of 2000.
(Bindon is pictured in the back row, wearing number 18)
Following her collegiate career, Bindon represented New Zealand on the international stage, appearing in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China and again at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. At both the 2007 and 2011 FIFA World Cup, she started every match for New Zealand. With the Kiwis, Bindon notched 77 caps and became the first New Zealand women's goalkeeper to reach the 50 cap milestone with her appearance against France in the 2011 Cyprus Cup.
(Bindon representing New Zealand at the World Cup)
Her connection to New Zealand started at Lewis University, where she met her husband, Grant Bindon. Grant is a former captain of the New Zealand men's national volleyball team and played with the Flyers during the 1999 and 2000 campaigns. After they married, they relocated to New Zealand, where Jenny continued her soccer career. The Belleville, Illinois, native played for New Zealand outfits Three Kings United, Glenfield Rovers, Bay Olympic and Hibiscus Coast during her senior career. She currently is an assistant coach for the London City Lionesses in the Women's Super League and has served as an assistant coach with the New Zealand Women's National Team since 2025.
Their son, Tyler Bindon, has followed in his mother's footsteps. The defender made his 2026 World Cup debut for New Zealand when he entered during stoppage time against Iran. His appearance officially made the Bindons the first mother-son duo to compete in FIFA World Cups, a milestone confirmed by FIFA.
(Tyler Bindon representing New Zealand at the 2026 World Cup)
"I think it shows the strength and the growth of the women's game and that's what I think I'm most excited about and to get to do that with Tyler," Jenny told ESPN. "We just didn't really think about it until later on, but it's a cool story and it's pretty epic."
For the latest news and updates on Lewis women's soccer, visit LewisFlyers.com and follow the Flyers on social media at @lewiswsoccer on Instagram and @LewisWSoccer on X.
