In just over two weeks Australia and New Zealand will host the biggest sporting event to hit these shores in years, and there are a few lessons we can learn from the way women’s football is supported.
The Matildas’ opening clash with the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia on July 20 is officially a sell-out, with more than 80,000 fans set to descend upon Homebush for Australia’s first game of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
That comes on the back of Australia’s final friendly with France on July 14 in Melbourne, which looks certain to break the current women’s football attendance record, given more than 40,000 tickets have already been sold for the clash at Docklands.
Officials are less confident that every game in New Zealand will be well-attended, with the Football Ferns currently in the midst of a 10-game losing streak, while the nation has been smashed by months of bad weather.
Even so, officials still expect the ‘sold-out’ sign to go up when the tournament officially kicks off on July 20 as New Zealand hosts Norway at Eden Park in Auckland – a couple of hours before the Matildas get their own campaign under way.
There’s no doubt the FIFA Women’s World Cup is big business, and the explosion in popularity of women’s sport in recent years means this looks set to be the biggest edition of the tournament yet.
Sam Kerr of the Matildas celebrates with teammates (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
But for all the feel-good factor around the Matildas heading into the tournament – and it’ll be interesting to see how the rarely convincing Tony Gustavsson handles the pressure of Australian expectations – there’s no doubt we’re also about to be subjected to some of the more grating elements of Aussie sporting culture.
You see less of the rank sexism in the comments sections on social media these days than you used to, but it’s always there lurking beneath the surface – ready to be unleashed the second someone compares Sam Kerr’s international goal-scoring record to Tim Cahill’s, or whenever a player makes an unfortunate mistake.
It’s up there with the tedious brigade of Aussie sports fans who simply must use every single news article about football to remind everyone in the comments of their undying love for the NRL and/or AFL.
Aussie rules fans are usually the worst for it – and seem convinced that all it takes to convert rusted-on football fans into card-carrying AFL club members are to hector them at every opportunity – and given the way the league carries itself, you can’t be too surprised.
The AFL will never miss an opportunity to try and sabotage football – even if it’s an unpopular move with their own fans and players – choosing last year to schedule an AFLW Finals game at the same time as a Matildas friendly at AAMI Park, thereby disadvantaging many supporters who follow both sports.
And one prominent Australian football personality messaged me during the week to point out what a coincidence it was to see Bruce McAvaney named in the AFL Hall of Fame less than a month before he’s due to helm Channel Seven’s Women’s World Cup broadcasts.
There’s no doubt McAvaney is one of Australia’s most accomplished commentators, but as Seven said themselves, he’s “synonymous with the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Cup”.
Yet if there’s one thing we can take heart from in the build-up to what promises to be a memorable tournament, it’s surely the fact that such a sizeable and robust support has built up organically around the Matildas.
With Gustavsson set to name his final 23-player squad later this afternoon, there’s a palpable sense of excitement building ahead of the month-long extravaganza.
You get the sense that mainstream Australia still doesn’t quite understand the magnitude of the event – but that will all change once the football kicks off.
And with the Matildas having transformed into one of the nation’s most popular teams, perhaps the biggest lesson we can take into the build-up of the World Cup is simply to jump on the bandwagon and enjoy the ride.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Football describes the round ball game really well. I don’t think it describes rugby union or rugby league very well at all.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
What we need is a word that uniquely indentifies the round ball game, get your best savants on the job.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
And the more whinily and shrilly done, the more sympathetic the viewing public will be. But I also looking forward to it.
stu
Roar Rookie
And there it is.......I am rather stunned following reading the comment from Beach. It appears to encapsulate many comments over the years that have bordered on equating Soccer to the Messiah. It is worth remembering that Soccer writers love the theme and they do 'rinse and repeat' the 'injustice' because it creates the cult following which gives them numbers. Perhaps it is worth looking at ourselves as fans of the game and how we can do our part rather (in whatever form that may take) than waiting for a bolt of lightning from above.
Redcap
Roar Guru
I wouldn't read too much into it - I know some of the people in that part of Premier and Cabinet (I used to work there) from where such media statements emanate, and a few of them wouldn't know Ronaldo Nazário from Ronaldo Mulitalo. :happy:
Grem
Roar Rookie
When you have non football people using the word football, you assume they are referring to the football where you use your hands! It is confusing as to why it is mentioned and what the outcome is.
338
Roar Rookie
I'm reading it as total confusion...i.e women's State of Origin has led to a boost in women playing football.....
Sydneysider
Roar Rookie
"if sport reflects culture, then the fundamental nature of AFL and NRL says nothing positive about ours." With the exception of beaches, sunny weather, lifestyle, natural resources and a decent standard of living, we have not successfully exported anything to the world. Hence why even though other sports continue to push and expand globally, even ones that are only played in 1 country (NFL), thanks to the internet and digital media, it's telling that AFL (NRL actually has some international presence although miniscule) cannot make it anywhere else. Culturally it says a lot.
Beach
Roar Rookie
It’s become a reflex in the football world, but, AR, not without good reason. I’ve been visiting these forums for 20 or so years now, much much less now, and they are endless rinse and repeat. And I’m getting too old to seriously believe sport is anything more than an entertaining distraction. Nothing will change for football until a major media group buys in, and ten are certainly not that. I’ll know you love your AFL, but I believe that AFL and NRL are fundamentally primitive sports in terms of their intrinsic appeal, and that the Australian public’s attachment to both reflects the myopia instilled by cultural and geographical isolation. These of course are generalisations, but if sport reflects culture, then the fundamental nature of AFL and NRL says nothing positive about ours.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Aidan, this is one of many steps football has take. It's a significant step, but it's one of many, the next step will be the 2nd Div and pro/rel with NPL, and the one after that will be pro/rel for A-League/2nd Div, and in the interim we have persistent events like World Cup qualifiers, Asian Cup and the list goes on. Strategic thinking mate, look at the long game and all these things add up to a relentless stream of football milestones and significant events. If you look at the Cross-Country Volleyball their big gig is the GF and that's about it. The World's Highest Paying Probation Scheme, they have State of Origin and the GF, but football, we have a freakin' arsenal of events and achievements that are still to come for many years.
Grem
Roar Rookie
It is strange how a State of Irigin game can be included in this discussion about FIFA World Cup legacies/funding. They are certainly events that are at different ends of the sporting spectrum, but it is Queensland! I think some of their people really do think the SOO is comparable to a real World Cup.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I know you have always been a fan of giving youth a go and some clubs have done that better than others. I have certainly come around to this line of thought now after a couple of years where I was reading and listening to these comments. Last season was amazing with the amount of young talent that emerged and was sold – some good money was made by a few clubs. Before this season even starts, young players such as Chris Donnel have been sold to clubs like Fulham. Do you think this is about to become the norm now? I know Sydney need to play them, but their recent signings of and additions to the squad of players like Glassin is a good sign. And it’s interesting how Sydney is selling (I assume) players straight from the academy to overseas clubs. Is this Beamjehoan appointment a good idea?
338
Roar Rookie
Try again...
338
Roar Rookie
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/98064 Mainstream support? Well I was pretty surprised to read this press statement. Halfway down it seems somewhat confused about football and rugby league?
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
yes, 'the corey brown saga' take yet another dramatic turn lol if it makes you feel better, several a league clubs are basket cases (its not just brissy) lol imagine being a jets, glory or victory supporter?
Randy
Roar Rookie
ok, so why complain so much about it then? I agree with you that coverage on mainstream FTA TV or Newspapers isn't that valuable these days. Both platforms are out of site for people under 35.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I agree with your comment and I know this article is about following and not playing. I always find the tiers interesting though. In terms of people sitting on a couch or on a seat at the ground then AFL, NRL and cricket are definitely tier 1. Football is interesting because the Matildas and Socceroos are probably tier 1, following of overseas leagues ? and the A Leagues definitely lags. It is a big bundle. When it comes to participation I always wonder, but probably know why, tiers aren’t used. Without going on google to find exact numbers- football in Australia has over a million participants all over the nation. Other sports such as basketball, netball and swimming would have around a million, so they would be tier 1. AFL, cricket, hockey, athletics, etc would have from 500 000 to around a million participants all over the nation so perhaps tier 2. Rugby League, with less than 100 000 from 2 states and rugby with less – what tier are they?
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Look all in all the WWC is a positive thing, Lets just hope there's no media blanket afterwards but i feel there will be.
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
I would say it already is mainstream. Aussie Rules, League & Cricket are no doubt our 3 most popular sports but Soccer can comfrotably put itself now in the second tier with Tennis, Rugby etc. Be happy if some AFL supporters feel the need to put Soccer down they don't do it to Cycling or Ice Hockey for a reason.
billyg
Roar Rookie
but then they go and sign a corey brown