Football Federation Australia hopes the Matildas’ fine run at the Women’s World Cup can be the catalyst for a women’s football revolution back home.
More Matildas matches in Australia, a higher-profile W-League back on television and making individual players among Australia’s best known female athletes are all on FFA’s agenda after their break-out success in Canada.
Emma Highwood, FFA women’s football chief and Matildas delegation head at the Cup, says the event has brought about a re-think for many fans.
“It’s not about women’s football anymore, it’s about football,” she told AAP.
“Us beating Brazil is as exciting as the Socceroos beating Brazil, that’s the transition starting to happen.”
While the impact of the Matildas’ win over footballing powerhouse Brazil has people talking, it hasn’t come as a surprise to those around the team.
Highwood sees the result as a combination of the players’ superb performance and meticulous planning behind the scenes.
With coach Alen Stajcic, the pair plotted a build-up to Canada that would be the envy of Matildas from days gone by.
Ten training camps at the AIS, Sydney or abroad were undertaken before arriving in Canada for the Cup, with 15 matches played before their tournament opener.
When the Matildas kick off against Japan on Sunday morning (AEST), they’ll have spent 129 nights away from their home beds, all in preparation for that match.
It’s brought a closeness that Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou – who must contend with a tightly packed club schedule – would die for.
And it’s only now that the pre-tournament predictions from inside the Matildas camp seem less fanciful.
“Internally, were talking a lot about aiming for the semi-final target,” Highwood reveals.
“We certainly feel we’ve got a quality side that can beat any side on its day.”
So while the Matildas prepare for the Japanese, Highwood’s mind is half back in Australia preparing for the W-League’s eighth season, due to begin in October.
The league is without a broadcast deal after the ABC, due to government cuts, pulled the plug.
“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that we do secure a broadcast partner for next year, and we’re in close negotiation with a few broadcasters that are interested.
“We feel the success of the Matildas (in Canada) and growing awareness will help us to get those across the line.”
On top of the extra eyeballs focussed on the domestic league, Highwood wants home fans to be able to attend Matildas fixtures more often.
While the Socceroos play home and away fixtures to qualify for their tournaments, the Matildas are usually confined to playing qualifying tournaments abroad.
“We certainly understand from this that we need to make sure there are more matches for the Matildas back home so we can build the Matildas brand outside of the key tournaments and the Olympics,” Highwood says.
THE MATILDAS ROAD TO THE WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINALS: IN NUMBERS
6 – Countries visited for build-up matches (Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus, Italy, Scotland, USA, Canada)
15 – Support staff, more than any other Women’s World Cup campaign
19 – Official and unofficial internationals this year prior to meeting Japan
80 – Estimated hours of video analysis
129 – Nights away from their home beds to date
280 – Meals shared together as a team
Chris
Guest
Women's football in Oz is booming and this success by the Matilda's will give it another boost. To get the headlines for women's football and most of al football in a winter dominated in the media by the egg ball codes is enormous for football. It has been a massive year for football in Oz . The continued success for the women's team will bring in sponsors and hopefully a TV deal for the domestic league, the women's team have now become household names and this tournament has been huge . Success breeds success and as you can judge by the massive reaction here in Oz to the team the future for these girls is rosy.
At work
Roar Rookie
In regards to the W League, I think they need to extend the season as it's very short at the moment. I also hope that Fox pick it up, they wouldn't have to pay much for it and considering they're all day games it wouldn't really compete with any other summer sports on pay TV. I agree with everyone else; in no way was the Matildas beating Brazil on par with the Socceroos doing something similar at a World Cup, but it was still a big moment for women's football and Australian football to a lesser extent
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I think it's an exaggeration to suggest the AUS Women's team winning a Ro16 at the WC has generated the same interest as would the AUS men's National Team. But, what is beyond dispute is that the interest in AUS has been sensational - better than anything I've seen before. Remember, this is basically a semi-professional & amateur competition, but mainstream print & TV media plus the watercoolers are buzzing with interest. I never noticed this sort of interest from media when AUS won the RL "world" cup in 2013. Let's see if there's the same buzz for the Union WC later this year. The FFA have been very smart. If we can grow the women's game, no other sport will ever be able to compete with football.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Steve, I think the game itself might not be as exciting for most people simply because the intensity is lower but the outcome and rivalry between 2 teams is comparable. Thats how I felt when I watched this morning's game, not the most enjoyable football to watch but a penalty shoot out vs the germans has you pumped up the same way as kf jt were blokes and I believe it will be the same for many aussies who will watch the japan game. We are still talking about 2 countries fighting for a spot in the last 4 of a world cup.
Lionheart
Guest
It's been a great tournament with some very entertaining games. Reading blog comments in international press, the Matildas are not everybody's favorite team but they are gaining praise now, as this tournament runs. I loved watching W League matches on TV and hope that the FFA can get it back on TV. Jointly with the A League would be the go. So proud of our Brisbane Roar contingent too, going great guns while we watch our club fall apart in front of us back home.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
It's as exciting for her, as she is the FFA women's football chief, but en masse, no, it's NOT!!!! The women's beating Brazil has created some great headlines & well overdue for women's sport, but lets not go over the top.
Waz
Guest
They may be "drawing a long bow" as my old man used to say but to be fair it has created a lot of excitement which is good for the game in general and in particular for the woman's game. The media coverage has been extensive which in the middle of NRL, footy and finals in Super Rugby season is hard to achieve. So even if they're not as popular as the Soceroos what is clear is they are very, very popular right now, more than ever before, and if people over state that popularity it can be forgiven with what is happening. This is really good for the Matilda's so let's not lose focus on that.
Steve
Guest
Sounds like marketing talk. Does anyone honestly believe the following statement? “Us beating Brazil is as exciting as the Socceroos beating Brazil, that’s the transition starting to happen.” Millions of people watched the Socceroos draw against Croatia at a World Cup at 4am, with tens if not hundreds of thousands on the streets also. I was amongst the crowd at Town Hall stopping traffic that morning. If the Socceroos beat Brazil at a World Cup it would be that plus more. I'm sorry, but as great as the Matilda's victory was, the popularity is nowhere near the same as the Socceroos. That is not sexist or anything, it is just fact.