Matildas jersey backflip: Women’s away kit now available to public
They’re due to host the Women’s World Cup in 2023 and one of the most popular teams in Australian sport, so when the FFA announced there would be no Matildas away kit, a quick solution was always going to be needed.
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The people have spoken and the Football Federation Australia has bowed to their wishes with Matildas away kits to be available early next year.
Fans had been left fuming following the release of Australia’s new home and away kits last week, with the nation’s female fans left out in the cold.
The first batch of new jerseys, which are made from 100 per cent recycled polyester from plastic bottles, were launched by Nike and Football Federation Australia last Thursday to much fanfare.
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But the decision to not have a women’s away kit was met with much criticisim.
The FFA said the initial unavailability of 2020 national teams away kits in a women’s silhouette was not consistent with the values in which FFA seeked to uphold and promote.
The association acknowledged added emphasis on ensuring that future processes were aligned with the organisation’s broader vision and mission for the sport.
FFA will continue to update supporters via official national teams channels regarding on-sale dates and purchase processes soon.
The FFA said women’s football and gender equality was a fundamental strategic pillar for the federation.
.@FFA, together with @Nike, have listened to fans and consumers and as a result 2020/21 National Team away kits in a women’s silhouette will be on sale early in 2021.
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) September 23, 2020
Timelines & updates regarding on-sale dates and purchase processes will be communicated soon.
Last Friday, the Matildas caused a social media stir when they revealed the green away jersey – modelled at the launch by outstanding young defender Ellie Carpenter, and described by Nike as being “a fresh water jersey, fresh water socks and deep obsidian shorts” — wouldn’t be made available for sale in women’s sizes.
In response to a query about why the women’s away jersey couldn’t be found for sale, the Matildas’ official Twitter account explained that “unfortunately, the new national teams away kit will not be available in women’s sizes.”
Unfortunately, the new national teams away kit will not be available in women’s sizes.
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) September 18, 2020
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and can assure supporters that this will be rectified for the next kit release due in 2022.
Ummmmm 🙈, this is a fairly significant problem @nikefootball https://t.co/L7I44JoBLC
— Elise Kellond-Knight (@elise_kk8) September 18, 2020
Hi lune, the Australia National Kit is a collection by Nike which consists of Australia Home Jersey in Men’s (Socceroos) & Women’s (Matildas), and Australia Away Jersey in Men’s (Socceroos). Unfortunately, the Away jersey is only available in Men’s and not Women’s (Matildas).
— Rebel Sport (@rebelsport) September 18, 2020
Embarrassing. @FFA have had a week - first, they choose to retain all the money taken from player registrations in Victoria (per @footballvic release) despite no season taking place, then this @TheMatildas fiasco. @JJ_JamesJohnson, what on earth is going on? #FFA #Matildas
— Benjamin Haller (@BenjaminHaller1) September 18, 2020
Come on #Nike #Matildas?!? How did this happen in 2020? There are women who enjoy supporting other women play sport. All your advertising of the away jersey is of a female wearing it, yet you aren’t supplying a women’s cut 🤦â€â™€ï¸ pic.twitter.com/uBvbhjuHUS
— Lyndal vH (@VhLyndal) September 18, 2020
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“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and can assure supporters that this will be rectified for the next kit release due in 2022.”
The traditional gold home jersey is available for purchase in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Matildas star Elise Kellond-Knight described the oversight as “a fairly significant problem” – a message posted along with a monkey emoji used to express embarrassment.
Youth sizes are also currently unavailable, although they are expected to be for sale shortly.
Speaking at the jersey launch, Matildas captain and Chelsea FC striker Sam Kerr was delighted with the jerseys.
“We always say ‘look good, feel good, play good’,” Kerr said.