Stadium Australia in Sydney is slated to welcome a match on the inaugural day of the Women’s World Cup, while Auckland is scheduled to unveil the tournament three hours ahead.
The Sydney stadium, an unconventional location for football with its vast expanse of 80,000 seats and large grassy periphery, will host the World Cup finale. Despite its odd fit, it serves as a symbol of Australian football, having been the site of significant victories that have placed the Matildas, the women’s national team, in the heart of national sporting pride.
With less than three weeks until the 2023 Women’s World Cup begins, the expected fanfare is yet to be seen in full swing. Amid the ongoing National Rugby League (NRL) and Australian Football League (AFL) seasons, only recent weeks have seen active promotional efforts, something Samantha Lewis, ABC’s women’s football journalist, has noted.
“A considerable number of people I’ve spoken to lately are unaware of the upcoming Women’s World Cup, not to mention that we are co-hosting it,” Lewis discloses to Sport Newes Center.
Australia’s Football Quandary
Despite high entry costs and inadequate facilities, football reigns supreme at the grassroots level in both Australia and New Zealand. It registers significantly higher participation levels than cricket, rugby, and Australian rules football.
However, the professional game faces hurdles. Both nations lag in terms of football’s popularity as a spectator sport. The A-League, Australia’s rejuvenated professional system, hasn’t been successful in attracting young, world-class talent or overseas players, thus negatively impacting public perception. This challenge is further intensified by the competition with globally recognized sports entities like Cricket Australia, the All Blacks, the AFL and NRL.
A concerning broadcast deal that will result in only two men’s games and no women’s games televised weekly from the next season has also dampened enthusiasm. On top of this, lucrative overseas contracts have lured away major stars from the semi-professional A-League Women.
“There was a lack of foresight on the part of the league’s administrators. They missed the opportunity to invest in women’s club football when they could,” Lewis opines.
However, Australia’s active and enthusiastic fan culture provides a glimmer of hope. Despite several issues, including occasional instances of hooliganism, racism, and homophobia, the fan culture has always played a significant role in attracting new spectators.
But relations between fans and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) have been strained due to recurring mismanagement in the professional game. The climax of these tensions was witnessed during the last Melbourne derby in December, resulting in what Sydney Morning Herald writer Vince Rugari dubbed the league’s “darkest day”.
Still, there have been moments of euphoria too. The Socceroos’ astonishing push into the round of 16 at Qatar 2022 triggered a wave of excitement among Australian football fans.
However, the real hope lies in the Matildas’ performance in the upcoming Women’s World Cup. If key player Sam Kerr leads Australia to a World Cup victory or secures a 2024 Olympic gold medal, her stature would reach legendary proportions, comparable to Australian greats like Don Bradman, Shane Warne, and Ashleigh Barty.
Rugby-centric New Zealand, which is probably the first World Cup host country with just a single professional club side, is also pinning hopes on their team, the Football Ferns.
“The potential for football’s growth is certainly there in both countries,” comments Lewis, “but the biggest obstacles are often the people in power themselves. They already let one major World Cup opportunity slip through their fingers; they wouldn’t want to miss another.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Women’s World Cup 2023
What is the Women’s World Cup 2023?
The Women’s World Cup 2023 is an upcoming international football tournament that will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. It will feature teams from around the world competing for the prestigious title.
Where will the Women’s World Cup 2023 matches be held?
The matches of the Women’s World Cup 2023 will be held in various cities across Australia and New Zealand. The opening match will take place in Auckland, New Zealand, while the final match will be held in Sydney, Australia.
What are the challenges faced by football in Australia and New Zealand?
Football in Australia and New Zealand faces challenges such as competition from other popular sports, limited appeal to foreign players, and a struggle to attract young, world-class talent. Additionally, issues with mismanagement and broadcast deals have impacted the growth and popularity of the professional game.
How important is the success of the Matildas for the future of football in Australia?
The success of the Matildas, the women’s national team of Australia, is crucial for the future of football in the country. Their performance in the Women’s World Cup 2023 can generate excitement and enthusiasm among fans, potentially leading to increased support and growth of the sport.
What is the fan culture like in Australian football?
Australian football has a vibrant fan culture characterized by passionate support groups and choreographed visual displays. These active fan communities play a significant role in attracting new fans and creating a lively atmosphere during matches. However, there have been occasional issues of hooliganism, racism, and homophobia that need to be addressed.
More about Women’s World Cup 2023
- Women’s World Cup 2023 Official Website
- Football Federation Australia
- New Zealand Football
- Matildas Official Website
- A-League Official Website
- ABC Women’s Football News
- Stadium Australia Official Website
- Sport Newes Center
- National Rugby League (NRL)
- Australian Football League (AFL)
- Cricket Australia
- All Blacks Official Website
- Australian Professional Leagues (APL)
- Wellington Phoenix Official Website
5 comments
football has a tough competition in australia with rugby, cricket, and afl. it’s hard for it to be the top sport. but let’s see if the women’s world cup can change that. if the matildas do well, maybe more people will pay attention to the beautiful game. fingers crossed!
aww man, it’s sad to hear that football is struggling in australia and nz. they need to do better with the professional game and get more people interested. the a-league needs some star players and better tv coverage to compete with other sports.
i can’t believe they missed the chance to capitalize on the socceroos’ success! it could’ve been a turning point for australian football. they need to get their act together and invest in women’s club football too. the matildas deserve more support and recognition.
i’m super excited about the fan culture in australia, those choreographed displays sound amazing! but they gotta fix the issues with hooliganism and racism, that’s not cool at all. let’s hope the women’s world cup can bring some positive change.
wow, so the Women’s world cup is gonna be in Australia and new zealand?? that’s awesome! can’t wait for the matches and the hype around it. hope the matildas do well and get everyone excited about football.