Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga has attracted attention both on and off the rugby league field after publicly confirming his relationship with Australian model and swimwear entrepreneur Mimi Bowell. The couple made their red-carpet debut at the Dally M Awards on September 30, 2026, just days after sharing affectionate moments during a trip to New Zealand.
Kalyn Ponga is not married, but he is dating Mimi Bowell, the co-founder of Australian swimwear brand Imana Swim. Their relationship became public in September 2026 when Bowell shared photographs and a video showing the NRL star kissing her following Newcastle’s dramatic finals victory over the New Zealand Warriors.
The romance developed during an important period in Ponga’s professional career, as he helped guide the Knights to their first NRL grand final in 25 years. Bowell has since spoken about supporting the rugby league star despite growing up in an Australian rules football environment.
So, who is Kalyn Ponga’s girlfriend? Here’s everything to know about Mimi Bowell, her business career, their relationship and the moments that brought their romance into the spotlight.
Mimi Bowell Is an Australian Model and Businesswoman
Mimi Bowell is an Australian entrepreneur, model and content creator originally from Adelaide, South Australia.
She is best known as the co-founder of Imana Swim, a swimwear company she established with her sister, Evana Bowell.
Mimi attended Wilderness School in Adelaide before pursuing higher education at the University of Adelaide.
In 2021, she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in marketing.
The following year, Mimi and Evana launched Imana Swim, introducing their first collection in December 2022.
The brand focuses on fashionable swimwear and promotes body confidence among women. It has developed a substantial social media following, with more than 44,000 followers reported in 2026.
Although Bowell has built her own professional identity, her relationship with Ponga has introduced her to a wider audience of rugby league supporters.
Kalyn Ponga and Mimi Bowell Confirmed Their Romance in September 2026
Ponga and Bowell first attracted widespread dating speculation in September 2026.
The rumors intensified after Bowell traveled to New Zealand to support the Newcastle Knights during their NRL finals campaign.
On September 20, Newcastle defeated the New Zealand Warriors 12-10 in a closely contested semi-final at Eden Park in Auckland.
Following the match, Ponga was filmed approaching Bowell before the couple embraced and shared a kiss.
Bowell later included the video in an Instagram carousel featuring photographs from their New Zealand trip.
She captioned the post “Passport stamped,” while Ponga responded with a monkey emoji and two hearts.
The photographs also showed the couple spending time together around Auckland.
Their affectionate social media interactions were widely interpreted as confirmation of their relationship.
However, neither has publicly disclosed exactly when they first met or began dating.
They Made Their Red-Carpet Debut at the Dally M Awards
Kalyn Ponga and Mimi Bowell made their first major public appearance as a couple on September 30, 2026, at the Dally M Awards in Sydney.
The annual ceremony celebrates outstanding achievements across the NRL and NRLW competitions.
Ponga arrived wearing a classic black tuxedo with a matching bow tie, while Bowell chose a fitted white gown featuring a dramatic train.
The pair posed together for photographers, confirming their romance in front of the sporting media.
Their appearance came during an exciting period for Ponga, who was preparing to lead Newcastle into the NRL grand final.
Bowell spoke about her admiration for his achievements and the team’s remarkable turnaround.
She explained that she had not previously been particularly familiar with rugby league because she grew up in Adelaide, where Australian rules football is more popular.
Nevertheless, she expressed pride in supporting Ponga during one of the biggest moments of his career.
Mimi Bowell Supported Ponga During Newcastle’s Historic Finals Run
Bowell’s relationship with Ponga became public during Newcastle’s remarkable 2026 finals campaign.
After finishing at the bottom of the NRL ladder in 2025, the Knights experienced a dramatic improvement the following season.
Ponga played a central role in the team’s resurgence as captain and fullback.
Following their victory over the Warriors, Newcastle defeated the Penrith Panthers 22-14 in the preliminary final.
The result secured the Knights’ first grand final appearance since 2001.
Bowell attended important matches and shared photographs documenting her support for Ponga.
Her sister Evana and Evana’s fiancé, Peter Majdanic, were also seen supporting the Knights during their finals campaign.
The couple’s public appearances offered fans a glimpse of their relationship during a particularly memorable period in Ponga’s sporting career.
Kalyn Ponga Previously Kept His Relationships Private
Before dating Bowell, Ponga had been linked to other women, although he generally avoided discussing his romantic relationships publicly.
He was previously linked to Newcastle paramedic Gaby Dunn and Sydney model Matisse De Giorgi.
Unlike some professional athletes who regularly share details about their personal lives, Ponga has typically maintained a relatively private approach to dating.
His public relationship with Bowell marked a noticeable change, particularly after the couple shared affectionate photographs and attended a major sporting event together.
Despite the attention, they have not publicly announced an engagement or wedding plans.
There is also no confirmed public information indicating that the couple have children together.
Kalyn Ponga’s Rugby League Career Has Reached Major Milestones
Kalyn Ponga was born on March 30, 1998, in Port Hedland, Western Australia.
He spent part of his childhood in New Zealand before returning to Australia, where he developed his rugby league skills.
Ponga made his NRL debut for the North Queensland Cowboys against the Brisbane Broncos on September 16, 2016.
He joined the Newcastle Knights in 2018 and quickly became one of the competition’s most exciting attacking players.
In 2023, he won the prestigious Dally M Medal, recognizing him as the NRL’s outstanding player of the season.
He later became Newcastle’s captain and helped lead the club to the 2026 grand final.
In October 2026, Ponga made his international debut for New Zealand during the Rugby League World Cup, scoring two tries against Australia before suffering a broken arm.
His career achievements have continued to attract attention as he establishes himself among the leading players in professional rugby league.
Are Kalyn Ponga and Mimi Bowell Still Together?
As of November 2026, Kalyn Ponga and Mimi Bowell have publicly confirmed their relationship, and no separation has been announced.
Their romance became widely known through Bowell’s Instagram photographs, their post-match kiss in Auckland and their appearance at the Dally M Awards.
Although the couple have shared several affectionate moments, they have kept details about the beginning of their relationship private.
Bowell continues to pursue her business interests through Imana Swim, while Ponga remains focused on his rugby league career with the Newcastle Knights.
For now, their relationship represents a new chapter in the NRL star’s personal life, with Bowell becoming a familiar supporter during one of the most successful periods of his career.
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