Opinion
Former Matildas coach Steve Darby spoke at the Football Writers’ Festival over the weekend in Sydney and raised a few eyebrows with a reference to overweight female footballers.
During an on-stage interview he undertook with journalist Matthew Hall, the long resume of the Englishman’s coaching career was showcased. The 68-year-old has spent time at the helm of clubs in the Middle East, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, India and Laos.
Toss in the period he spent with the Matildas, playing the game in Hobart and coaching at Sydney Olympic in the 1990s, and it is fair to say that Darby’s football journey is as eclectic and broad as any other.
Hall questioned Darby on his time in charge of the Australian women’s national team between 1989 and 1991, and the Merseyside-born ex-goalkeeper made a rather startling statement about the differences that existed at the time in relation to players, their preparation and fitness levels.
Darby said, “We used to have ‘fat girl sprints’ at the end of training, even the players used to call them fat girl sprints.”
I must admit to being somewhat stunned by the admission and recollection, using such a crude way to refer to athletes.
Apparently, in what was essentially an amateur environment for the female players of the time, fitness was a real issue and the desire to address what Darby described as overweight players led to some extra work for those identified as suffering from the physical problem.
Of course, everything is of its time, yet the story Darby told reminded me of the modern allegations made by former Matilda Lisa De Vanna, in regards to grooming and same sex sexual harassment, abuse and bullying in 2021.
De Vanna was alluding to events that had allegedly taken place as far back as 2001, when she first became a Matilda as a 17-year-old star of the future; allegations subsequently verified and supported by other former players.
It is an uncomfortable truth for a team that is so universally loved in the modern context. It is also one that Football Australia has not acted upon with enough enthusiasm, aside from the bizarre sacking of Alen Stajcic in 2019 after Matildas players were asked to complete surveys and comment on team culture.
To this day, we are yet to receive the details of the evidence used to undermine him.
Darby’s comments and De Vanna’s claims both suggest inappropriate language and events in the Matildas’ past. Anecdotally and off the record, many other players have confirmed to me that they too saw and experienced things that no player should.
It is somewhat ironic that the only person to have taken the fall is one still yet to be told exactly the reason why.
Now, just two days away from the Matildas’ opening group match of the World Cup, the team with what could be described as a somewhat sordid and unpleasant past has a wave of support believing that the ultimate prize is within their grasp.
(Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Wins over Sweden, England and Canada over the last 12 months and a 1-0 triumph over the French last Friday night have hopes high and the manic Tony Gustavsson is relying on the ‘trust the process’ mantra that he has stuck to since his appointment in 2020.
Right now, the coach does appear to have pulled a few correct reins and has the group in good form heading into the event.
However, the attractive brand that the Matildas now are disrespects the stories and experiences of the women who came before them.
Fundamentally, the team has been sportswashed superbly, with the clean-skin image crafted expertly in both social and mainstream media turning a blind eye to a history that calls for reconciliation.
There is no other team as squeaky clean in Australia, with most others subject to character assassination at the first sign of trouble due to the stupid actions of a minority of individuals.
The narrative has been born, controlled and executed all for this moment, with many interests involved in doing so. The nation is ready, the team is sharp and it will be a month to remember.
However, for some, there will be a bittersweet taste whilst watching the team compete. Many of those will be ex-players and victims of an alleged culture of abuse that harmed them.
Now professional, the Matildas camp is a happier, safer and far more pleasant environment than it has ever been. Let’s hope the women put on a cracking show and do their families proud.
However, let’s also hope that when the caravan departs, the game deals with issues that are far more important than playing football.
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