No promises from federal Labor on money for Matildas

The Albanese government says it will “always look for more ways” to ensure funding for women’s sport is fit for purpose, but has stopped short of promising more money after the Matildas’ extraordinary World Cup run ended.

Matildas champion Sam Kerr called for an immediate funding boost for women’s football on Wednesday night after the team’s heartbreaking 3-1 semi-final loss to England, and argued the team’s run deep into the finals should be the catalyst for change in Australian soccer.

Anthony Albanese heaped praise on the Matildas after their semi-final loss, for their “incredible skill, ferocity and flair”.Credit: Getty

“I can only speak for the Matildas [but], you know, we need funding in our development, we need funding in our grassroots. We need funding, you know, we need funding everywhere,” the team’s captain said after the match.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson backed that call, and said: “I agree with the players. This is not the end of something, this needs to be the start of something. And with that comes money as well.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Sport Minister Anika Wells both attended several Matildas games and Albanese heaped praise on the team after Wednesday’s loss for its “incredible skill, ferocity and flair, and a camaraderie that defines what it means to play team sport”.

Albanese’s comments on X, formerly Twitter, drew a pointed response from some social media users. One responded: “Cool. Now invest in the sport” and “show them the money”.

In response to questions from this masthead about whether a funding boost for the Matildas and grassroots soccer was in the works, a federal government spokesperson said: “We want funding to be fit for purpose, so more women and girls can participate and compete in sport at all levels – and we will always look for more ways to do that.

“We are determined to help girls inspired by the FIFA World Cup, Netball World Cup, women’s basketball and rugby world cups to have safer facilities to enjoy sport for life. We want more opportunities for more Matildas. This tournament has been incredible and proven that women’s sport isn’t a phase, it’s here to stay.

“We have spent significant money on women’s football, committing more than $84 million to support the Women’s World Cup and its legacy. We committed $44 million for the hosting of the tournament and a further $40 million for grassroots programs like MiniRoos and the first-ever home of women’s football.”

The spokesperson said that extra money had funded eight extra international matches for the women’s national team, paid for a second assistant coach, a psychologist, a sports scientist, a team chef and doctor, and meant the Matildas were on parity with the men’s team.

Opposition sports spokeswoman Anne Ruston said the Coalition had pledged $250 million to remove barriers for young girls and boys to participate in grassroots sport.

“Through developing and upgrading sporting infrastructure, the whole community benefits, and this is a call that Matildas captain Sam Kerr reiterated after the semi-final,” Ruston said.

“The Matildas have united Australia, and instead of just clapping from the sidelines, we are committed to investing in long-lasting legacies.

“It is so disappointing that the prime minister and the minister for sport are unwilling to put their money where their mouth is and invest in grassroots sport.”

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.