A New Addition to the Panthers Family!
Penrith Panthers Star Marty “Marto” Martin and Wife Chelsea Celebrate the Arrival of Baby Joey
Penrith, October 29, 2025 — Joy has filled the Penrith Panthers camp this week, as one of the club’s most beloved figures, Marty “Marto” Martin, and his wife Chelsea have officially welcomed their first child, a beautiful baby boy named Joey. The couple’s heartwarming announcement has lit up social media, with fans, teammates, and club officials sending waves of congratulations to the proud new parents.
The news was first shared by the Panthers on their official channels early Tuesday morning, accompanied by a touching message:
> “A new addition to the Panthers family! Congratulations to Marto and Chelsea on the arrival of little Joey 🫶🏽💙.”
Within minutes, the post drew thousands of likes, comments, and shares — a testament to how deeply loved Martin is by the Penrith faithful and the broader rugby league community.
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❤️ The Joyous Arrival
Baby Joey was born over the weekend, with both mother and child said to be “happy, healthy, and thriving.” Sources close to the family confirmed that the birth took place at Nepean Hospital in Western Sydney, close to the couple’s home and the Panthers’ training base.
Marto and Chelsea, who have been together for several years, reportedly chose the name Joey as a nod to Australian roots — representing both new life and the nurturing spirit of a young kangaroo, a symbol of strength and growth.
Friends say the couple were overwhelmed with happiness and emotion upon holding their son for the first time.
> “It’s been a long wait, but every second was worth it,” said a family member. “Marto hasn’t stopped smiling. He says this is the best moment of his life.”
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🍼 From Field to Fatherhood
For the 27-year-old Penrith Panthers forward, this marks a significant new chapter — both personally and professionally. Known for his relentless work ethic on the field and his down-to-earth demeanor off it, Marty has been a key figure in the Panthers’ dominance of the NRL over recent seasons.
After helping Penrith secure their record-equalling fourth consecutive Grand Final appearance, Martin took a brief break from pre-season training commitments to be by Chelsea’s side in the final weeks of her pregnancy.
Club insiders revealed that the Panthers’ leadership group and coach Ivan Cleary fully supported Martin’s decision, emphasizing the importance of family and balance in a player’s life.
> “Family always comes first here,” Cleary reportedly told players during training. “We’re more than a team — we’re a family. And today, that family just got bigger.”
Martin’s teammates echoed those sentiments, with Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary posting on Instagram:
> “Huge congrats to my brother Marto and Chelsea! Can’t wait to meet little Joey — future Panther right there 🖤💛💙.”
Winger Brian To’o added humorously:
> “We already got a jersey ready for baby Joey — size XS!”
The locker room celebrations reportedly included a special cake baked by the team’s staff, decorated in the club’s iconic black and gold, with the words: “Welcome Joey – Born a Panther!”
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🏉 Marto’s Journey: From Rising Talent to Fan Favorite
Marty Martin’s story has always resonated with fans. Coming from humble beginnings in rural New South Wales, he rose through the Panthers’ development system with determination and heart, eventually cementing his place as one of the team’s most consistent performers.
A versatile forward with strong defensive instincts and an unmatched engine, Martin has been a vital contributor to Penrith’s era of dominance — a three-time premiership winner who embodies the club’s culture of resilience and teamwork.
Off the field, however, it’s Martin’s warmth, humility, and community spirit that have made him such a beloved figure. Known for his outreach work with junior rugby programs and his involvement in charity events around Penrith, he has often said that the club’s success “means more when it lifts the whole community.”
His transformation into a father adds yet another layer to his inspiring journey.
> “It’s surreal,” Martin shared in an exclusive message to fans through the club’s media team. “I’ve achieved a lot in rugby, but nothing compares to holding my son. It makes everything else fade for a while — the wins, the losses — none of that matters in this moment.”
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💕 Chelsea’s Strength and Support
Behind every athlete is a partner who makes countless sacrifices, and Chelsea Martin has long been that rock for her husband. A fitness trainer and lifestyle influencer, Chelsea has built a reputation for her authenticity, kindness, and unwavering support of Marty’s career.
Throughout her pregnancy, she often shared candid updates with her followers — from morning workouts to nursery preparations — giving fans a glimpse into their journey toward parenthood.
One of her recent posts, just days before giving birth, read:
> “Counting down the days until we meet our little miracle. Marty has been the most incredible husband — I can’t wait to see him become a dad 💙.”
Now, with baby Joey in their arms, those dreams have come true. Chelsea’s latest story on Instagram simply read:
> “He’s here 🕊️ Joey Martin — our everything.”
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🎉 The Panthers Family Reacts
The Penrith Panthers’ wider community has come together in celebration. Club officials, fans, and former players have flooded social media with heartfelt messages.
CEO Matt Cameron released a short statement on behalf of the club:
> “On behalf of everyone at the Panthers, we send our warmest congratulations to Marty, Chelsea, and their families on the safe arrival of baby Joey. The entire Panthers community shares in their joy.”
The official Penrith Panthers account later posted a photo of a miniature black-and-gold onesie with “MARTIN 13” printed on the back, captioned:
> “Starting them young 🖤💛💙 Welcome to the family, Joey!”
Fans quickly jumped in with their own messages of love and humor:
“Sign him up for 2043 already!”
“Future Dally M winner incoming!”
“Congratulations Marto and Chelsea! The Panthers dynasty continues.”
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🌈 Balancing Fatherhood and Football
As the new season approaches, Martin’s focus will inevitably shift back to rugby, but he’s made it clear that family will always remain his top priority. Those close to him say he plans to dedicate his next season to his newborn son, even reportedly saying, “Every tackle, every try — it’s all for Joey.”
His return to training is expected later in November, giving him ample time to enjoy the early weeks of fatherhood. Sources at the club have confirmed that the Panthers have adjusted his schedule to ensure a smooth transition back into full fitness.
Teammates say they’ve already started joking about who gets babysitting duties during away trips — with Jarome Luai declaring himself the “fun uncle” and Isaah Yeo offering parenting advice as one of the squad’s senior dads.
> “We’ve got a real family culture here,” said Yeo. “And now, we’ve got another little Panther cub to welcome.”
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👶 What This Means for the Panthers Culture
Moments like this go beyond the sport itself. For a team that prides itself on loyalty, togetherness, and humility, the arrival of baby Joey represents everything the Penrith Panthers stand for — unity, support, and love.
Over the past few years, Penrith’s success on the field has been matched by an equally strong off-field bond between players and their families. Events such as baby showers, birthday celebrations, and family days have become an integral part of the Panthers’ culture.
> “The connection between our players and their families is what makes this club special,” said coach Cleary. “We celebrate everything together — the victories, the milestones, the new beginnings. Joey’s arrival is one of those beautiful moments that remind us what really matters.”
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🏆 Looking Ahead
With another NRL campaign on the horizon, Martin’s personal joy could serve as fresh motivation. The Panthers, chasing their fifth consecutive Grand Final appearance, are expected to once again be among the favorites — and a happy, inspired Marto could be one of their key assets.
For now, though, football takes a back seat. The focus is on late-night feedings, quiet lullabies, and the indescribable joy of holding a newborn son.
As the club put it perfectly in their message:
> “A new addition to the Panthers family! Congratulations to Marto and Chelsea on the arrival of Joey 🫶🏽 — our hearts are full.”
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📰 In Summary
Who: Marty “Marto” Martin and wife Chelsea welcome their first child, Joey.
What: A joyous new arrival to the Penrith Panthers family.
Where: Western Sydney, Australia.
When: Late October 2025.
Why It Matters: Highlights the Panthers’ strong family culture and adds a heartwarming chapter to the story of one of the NRL’s most admired players.
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For the Panthers, this is more than a birth announcement — it’s a celebration of life, love, and community. And for Marty Martin, it’s the greatest victory of all — not on the scoreboard, but in his heart.
