FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Steph Catley on Matildas’ chance to create legacy

As England’s women’s national team packs out stadiums, Matildas star Steph Catley has opened up on the impact she thinks this year's World Cup can have on Australian football and its supporter base.

Steph Catley in action for the Matildas.

Matildas’ vice-captain Steph Catley says they have the rare chance to change the future of women’s football in Australia forever – but it will only happen if they can embrace the pressure to perform at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Catley, who has just penned a new deal with Arsenal in the Women’s Super League, has seen first hand the impact a national team delivering results on home soil can have on the game after England’s women’s team won the Euros in 2022.

It is a shift, Catley talking in her role as an Optus ambassador, said would inspire the next generation of Matildas.

Matildas Vice Captain Steph Catley and captain Sam Kerr.. Picture: Matthew Poon

“The (English) national team is selling out stadiums, the WSL is now thriving and selling out massive stadiums that in the past, when a women’s team was playing, would only have two or three thousand people in the stands,” Catley said.

“Doing well in a home tournament has the power to do that and to change women’s football forever for a whole nation.

“It’s a lot of responsibility and there is a bit of pressure there.

“But it is also a really great responsibility to have and something that I’m proud of and excited to try and achieve with our team.”

Steph Catley says the Matildas have a chance to create a legacy at the World Cup.

The Matildas’ defender said the key to dealing with pressure was having a positive mindset.

“I know I’ve had moments where I have been nervous and I have almost said no to things but I think there is a power in saying yes and jumping into things, my football career is sort of credit to that,” Catley said.

“When things have been tough I’ve always said yes and kicked on.”

But staying positive can be easier said than done – particularly when your team is not performing.

Before the Matildas found their recent winning form they had a bumpy patch, some big losses and were heavily criticised.

“We’ve been through a tough time,” Catley said. “A lot of our senior players take to be rested during the build up to this tournament and we’ve blooded young players and we have taken some big hits and some losses.

“But the main thing for us is that we were always on the same path. We were always together.”

Steph Catley battles for possession with Arsenal.

Catley said the bumpy road to the World Cup has the Matildas in the best possible position.

“We have had lots of young players who were able to show that they can absolutely handle the pressure of playing against the world’s best,” Catley said.

“The last few games we have played you can see that it’s worked out for the best.

“We’ve created some really good depth in our team. We trust each other and believe in each other and that’s all sort of come around at the right time.”

Australia will play Ireland on July 20 at Stadium Australia in front of 83,000 people.

It is a moment that has been building for Catley since FIFA announced Australia and New Zealand’s joint bid had been successful in June 2020.

“I’ve been counting down the days since it was announced, It’s been the longest build up, like nothing has felt this long in my entire life,” she said.

“I’m (most excited) for the first game, because that’ll mean the tournament has started. Playing in front of a sold out crowd, I literally get goosebumps thinking about it.”

All the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup games will be streamed live on Optus Sport.

Originally published as FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Steph Catley on Matildas’ chance to create legacy