North Queensland Cowboys player Jake Clifford and his wife, Steph, have celebrated the arrival of a very special Christmas gift – their newborn daughter. The couple announced the happy news on social media, revealing their third child was born on Christmas Eve.
A Festive Arrival for the Clifford Family
The delighted parents shared their joy with fans on Boxing Day, posting a video to Instagram that served as both a birth announcement and a gender reveal. The clip showed two plaques, one reading 'It's a Boy' and the other 'It's a Girl', before panning to their new baby girl wrapped in a blanket, confirming the latter.
Steph Clifford captioned the post: 'An extra special gift this Christmas - Zimi Wren Clifford 24.12.25.' The announcement confirms the baby's unique and beautiful name. The couple, who married in 2021, are already parents to four-year-old daughter Naivy and one-year-old son Dustyn.
Flood of Congratulations from the NRL Community
Messages of support and congratulations quickly poured in on the couple's social media post. Jake's club, the North Queensland Cowboys, led the well-wishes, commenting: 'The best early Christmas present! Congrats, guys!'
They were joined by teammates and their partners, including Cowboys co-captain Reuben Cotter and his wife Mackenzie, as well as Claudia Taulagi, wife of winger Murray Taulagi. Claudia wrote: 'The most beautiful little girl ever. Welcome to the world Zimi!' Sydney Roosters player Reece Robson also sent his best wishes to the growing family.
Jake, 27, and Steph frequently share glimpses of their family life online. They first announced the pregnancy in July with a video stating the baby was 'the final missing piece to our family.'
Clifford's Focus on Family and Football
The new arrival comes as Jake Clifford continues his professional rugby league career. After debuting with the Cowboys in 2018 and having stints with the Newcastle Knights and Hull FC in the UK's Super League, he returned to North Queensland in 2024.
Speaking to the Cairns Post in October after signing a contract extension to stay with the Cowboys for the 2026 season, the part-time mortgage broker expressed his contentment. 'I'm excited to be here another year,' he said, indicating his hope to extend his stay with the club further in the future.
Alongside his sporting commitments, Clifford also works as an ambassador for Lamberts, a North Queensland grocery brand. The birth of Zimi Wren Clifford marks a joyous end to the year for the footballer and his wife, adding a new chapter to their family story.
