FNQ Matildas: World Cup a win for women’s sport
Three former Matildas expect a surge across all of women’s sport when Australia and New Zealand host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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Three former Matildas expect a surge in women’s sport when Australia and New Zealand host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Trans-Tasman bid was announced the winner early Friday morning, and Tully’s Kim Carroll, Stratford’s Tammie Thornton and dual international Jo Butland were all on hand to witness history.
It was midnight in Perth when Carroll tuned in for the announcement. Carroll played in the 2011 World Cup in Germany, where Australia were knocked out by Sweden 3-1 in the quarter finals.
“I was so lucky; Germany had a great set-up and the stadiums were immaculate,” the defender recalled.
“Playing for Australia at a World Cup was special, but in front of home fans it will be amazing for the players.”
Carroll, who is nearing the end of her playing career at the Glory, said the event will generate interest in women’s sport across the board.
“I didn’t know who any Matildas were when I was young but it’s totally different now,” Carroll said.
“They know the players, they look up to them. It’s going to generate so much interest.”
Former Stratford junior Thornton, who set her alarm, donned headphones and celebrated in silence to avoid waking up her family after the 2am announcement, said it was a win for current elite players, fans, and the next generation.
“It’s a win from all perspectives,” the midfielder said. “For players, it’s one thing to make a World Cup but to play in your own backyard is totally different,” she said.
“For the fans who have dreamed of going to a World Cup, they’ll never have a better chance to go.
“And for aspiring players, there’s so much to look forward to and the FFA will be ready for more people to get playing.”
Butland, who was the “third string goalkeeper” and missed out on the 1999 World Cup, said the benefits of hosting the tournament stretched well beyond football.
“The benefits for football are obvious but for the female sporting landscape, this is going to be huge,” she said.
“We saw what the Women’s Cricket World Cup did earlier this year, but with football we’re talking about a truly world game.”
Former Leichhardt junior Mary Fowler, who is among the youngest Matildas debutants in history and signed for French giants Montpellier earlier this year, will likely be a key component of the squad when the 2023 tournament rolls around.
With the likes of superstar Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter and Kyah Simon on board, Thornton said it could be the perfect storm for the Matildas.
“The girls are primed to really cut through the early rounds, and when you have home ground advantage you can make it count,” she said.
“There’s definitely pressure, but they have to turn that expectation into inspiration.”
FAR NORTH’S FORMER MATILDAS
Kim Carroll made her international debut in 2005 and earned 54 caps for the Matildas and has played more than 100 W-League games.
Tammie Thornton made 19 appearances for the Australian side in 1996-97 in a career which included stints in the US professional league and English giants Chelsea.
Jo Butland played four games for Australia in 1999 before switching codes, starring in AFL as she earned multiple All Australian honours, captaining the side in 2007.
Alicia Ferguson played junior football at Stratford and Saints, spent a decade with former Women’s NSL club Queensland Sting, and made 66 appearances for Australia from 1997-2007.
Originally published as FNQ Matildas: World Cup a win for women’s sport