Captain Sam Kerr has described the Matildas as a “safe haven” as the team issued a statement defending their culture after claims of sexual abuse and harrassment from women’s soccer great Lisa De Vanna.
The players released a statement on Monday as Football Australia, the PFA and Sport Integrity Australia launched investigations into the allegations.
De Vanna, a former Matildas striker, alleges she suffered same-sex sexual harassment, abuse and bullying during her decorated 150-game international career between 2001 and 2019.
Her former teammate and W-League stalwart Rhali Dobson also alleges she was a target of sexual harassment in her career.
The Matildas issued a joint statement acknowledging the seriousness of De Vanna’s allegations.
“We empathise with her for not feeling like she could come forth earlier,” the statement read.
Lisa De Vanna. (Photo by Getty Images)
“We will work with Football Australia, the PFA and Sport Integrity Australia to ensure that all current and future players feel comfortable, safe and able to report instances of inappropriate behaviour, in a timely manner.”
Kerr was one of 15 players to include personal comments defending the culture of the national side.
“I have been a part of this team for 12 amazing years, from 15 years old to now,” the captain said.
“Throughout my career the Matildas have been a safe haven for me and allowed me to grow into the player and person I am today.”
Other players included in the statement include vice-captain Steph Catley, veteran Emily van Egmond and teenager Mary Fowler.
The women said they had spoken at length about the allegations and were “hurt” by what had occurred, and reassured fans they had a strong professional, inclusive and supportive culture.
They said they were disappointed the group had been accused of not accepting diversity within its ranks.
“As a group, we represent the values reflective of Australia and that includes acceptance and inclusivity, regardless of sexuality, ethnicity or culture,” the Matildas statement said.
“It was disappointing to observe conversations inferring the group is not accepting of differences, especially given the diversity that exists within our current leadership group on all those fronts, let alone across the broader team.”
“We would also like to re-iterate the professional standards that surround the current team today. Women’s football has dramatically grown in recent years and so has our professionalism and standards.”
The players said they welcomed an independent review into the matter.
There had been some criticism of current players for failing to speak out.
Here’s how the players reacted.
“I am in full support of this collective statement together with my teammates. The Matildas have been my second family and safe place for over a decade, and we, as a full inclusive team, will always stand for and with each other.” – Mackenzie Arnold.
“I support the collective team statement. The current Matildas environment is one that allows individual players to strive for their personal best within the team setting.” – Ellie Carpenter.
“The Matildas have always been a second family to me. I have spent more time with these players and these staff members than I have with my own family at times, and I have always felt at home and safe. I am proud to be part of this family and will always support and care for the people within it.” – Steph Catley, Matildas vice-captain.
“From the moment I stepped into the Matildas environment as a 16-year-old, this has been my safe place and the professional environment has helped me to grow into the player and person I am today. I stand with my teammates / second family in full support of this collective statement.” – Caitlin Foord.
“I play my best football when I’m in an environment that’s professional, fun and supportive. This team gives me all of that.” – Mary Fowler.
“Being a part of the Matildas family is something I take immense pride in. I fully support our collective statement and stand by the strong, inclusive, safe and professional environment that I have experienced for the best part of a decade.” – Alanna Kennedy.
“The Matildas are a large part of my identity. I have dedicated a lot of my time to help grow the culture and professionalism of this team and it’s been a fantastic journey that we are all proud of.” – Elise Kellond-Knight.
“I have been a part of this team for 12 amazing years, from 15 years old to now. Throughout my career the Matildas have been a safe haven for me and allowed me to grow into the player and person I am today. I count myself lucky to be a part of this amazing group of athletes and people.” – Sam Kerr, Matildas captain.
“Since joining this team at the beginning of 2019, I have felt welcomed, valued and only experienced the utmost professional environment both on and off the field.” – Teagan Micah.
“Being part of the Matildas has been the greatest honour and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this team.” – Clare Polkinghorne.
“Throughout my involvement with the Matildas, I have found great comfort in the professional and safe working environment within this group. The Matildas are like my family, they have played a big part in shaping who I am, and I am so proud to be a part of this special team” – Hayley Raso.
“For me, coming in at a young age during a major tournament, I have experienced nothing but acceptance and welcome and can honestly say the environment is one of the best I have been a part of.” – Kary Roestbakken.
“I am in full support the collective team statement. For 11 years I have been incredibly lucky to be part of such an amazing team, be surround by incredible athletes and even better people. The Matildas have always been more than just a team, they have been my safe space and my second family. In those 11 years, this group has helped me grow and find myself as a footballer and as a person. I am grateful to them for being a part of my journey and shaping who I am today.” – Emily van Egmond.
“As a current and long-standing Matilda, I am in full support of the collective statement from the team and the professionalism which we have built over the years. I am proud of every moment that I get to stand with and for my teammates in the green and gold.” – Lydia Williams.
“As an individual and as a current Matilda I am in full support of the collective statement made by the teammates I stand side-by-side with wearing the green and gold jersey.” – Tameka Yallop.
Tigertown
Guest
“Social media trolls have been slammed by Football Australia and the players’ union for directing “disturbing” and “abhorrent” abuse towards Matildas players – including the sharing of revealing images of two players without their consent.” - Sydney Morning Herald. 13/10/2021
Tigertown
Guest
All valid points. The rebuttals were well crafted, public relations posts. Come the World Cup, the Matilda’s will be a multi-million dollar brand, which will both challenge & overtake all other sports. I can only hope it’s a swift investigation. Many of us have been lamenting overseas football stories this week, prying into international sales of clubs & questioning ethics, many from cultures different to ours. How little attention do we Aussies actually spend on our own backyard?
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure this is an appropriate response on the part of current day Matildas (at least those under contract). It appears to be orchestrated, the words used share similarities. Orchestrated by whom? You would hope it's not by the same people who have publicly given assurances of investigating the claims. None were present 20 years ago, when De Vanna started her international career. It serves to diminish a decorated national team footballer.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I dont know what results it would take to get a Matildas coach sacked for performance. The previous coach to Stajic the lesbian woman was sacked because of a player mutiny over hotel lockdowns of all things. Stajic didnt have a mutiny against him, unless they give people a print out of the exact comments which would be nice, the mediaa concentrated on him making comments about the lesbian mafia, there was a supposedly a wide variety of complaints some about other players you would guess De Vanna possibly.
Simoc
Guest
You can make up any story and you are well named. Stajics main problem was a Matildas team that was playing worse at every outing under his guidance and using excuses like blooding new players in friendlies. There is no such thing as a friendly International. Its a cap and you play to win. A couple of years earlier he had them playing well but coaches live by results. His weren't good.
Gashead
Roar Rookie
There is a difference between people not being happy about things and there being a “professional, inclusive and supportive” culture in the team. I don't think you can link the two personally, especially since the output of the confidential survey is not known. However, people seem to be inferring here that the current Matilda's cannot be trusted and they are merely puppets of the FA. Why do you believe De Vanna and not the current players? Surely both voices can be correct and heard? What do you want the Matilda players to do? What is the first, second and third questions the Matilda's will get during the upcoming friendly matches to be played in Australia. It will all be about this issue. No where in their statement did they dismiss or contradict De Vanna. They simply talked about their experiences. I find it hard to believe those in the team wouldn't be willing to speak up considering this issue was supported during the recent matches in the WSL in the UK (where a lot of the players play), and that (and I'm assuming here) people at the centre of De Vanna's claims aren't part of the set-up as she seemed to be talking about Senior Players when she was younger.
bazza200
Guest
My limited understanding is the previous coach was sacked due to a confidential survey saying people aren't happy. (This is not so long ago) So when they were able to respond in safety they say different to what they say in public. You'd have to be brave to criticise your coach and team if you still want to play also it pisses off your team mates.
Gashead
Roar Rookie
Tigertown, both Lisa De Vanna and the current Matilda's can be correct with their views/experiences, especially given the timeframe that I believe Lisa is referring to. You can't simply assume that the current Matilda's are protecting things, just the same way you can't assume that Lisa is 'blowing up everything' due to her disappoint with what happened at the close of her career. As I have stated previously, ensuring we have the systems and processes in place is the most important thing we need to ensure from this episode.
Tigertown
Guest
Will any current Matilda players, those providing defensive statements, retract such views in the future? Only after a decorated playing career, and with calm retrospect, can a competitor truly analyse their profession with maturity. Void of international aspirations, unshackled from football contracts, Lisa De Vanna has nothing to lose. However, our current crop of superstars have everything to protect.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Denial! Once Stajcic was sacked because he wouldn't tolerate Butch mentality i new the bigger picture would come out of the closet eventually.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
De Vanna the only specifics she gives is when she first came into the team that would have been back in 2001. So these players would not have been around then but De Vanna should have at least made mention of what time period she is talking about.