Tokyo Olympics 2021: Matildas striker Caitlin Foord fighting for greater exposure for women’s football

World Cups, Asian Cups, Olympics ... it’s all happening for the Matildas. But it’s individual success at club level that could underpin greater exposure for women’s football.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Caitlin Foord of the Australian Matildas in action during the Women's Olympic Football Tournament Play-Off match between the Australian Matildas and Vietnam at McDonald Jones Stadium on March 06, 2020 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

For the Matildas’ Golden Generation, every major tournament arrives with the burden of expectation. But since winning the 2023 World Cup hosting rights, that intense pressure has been dialled up.

In the next four years, with two Olympic Games, an Asian Cup and a home World Cup, Australia has four chances to make their mark on the international stage – and leverage that success to catapult the development of women’s football, and women’s sport, across the country.

The sense of responsibility to deliver results on and off the field is keenly felt among the Matildas squad, which will arrive in Tokyo this week with an unshakable ambition to return home with medals around their necks.

“It is massive, we can feel that as well… Not only for the women’s game but football in general, it will be an exciting time,” says Matildas striker Caitlin Foord.

Caitlin Foord and the Matildas are aiming high in Tokyo.

“It’s exciting for the women’s game, but also us as Matildas, as well – and results drive that.”

Winning is only half of the broader battle, however. The fight for greater exposure is just as vital.

Or as Foord explains: “You can only be what you can see”.

In recent years, Foord has ventured to the United States – playing with Portland Thorns and New Jersey-based Sky Blue FC – but found it impossible to track down coverage of even the biggest women’s football matches.

Even now, the Arsenal star starts off most game days by trawling the internet to find avenues for friends and family to watch her matches back in Australia. It’s become as much part of her pre-match routine as warming up the hamstrings.

“It does put that little bit of extra stress onto you to try and run around and figure out how to get it done for the people that are close to you and want to watch,” Foord told News Corp.

During the Olympics the nation’s eyes will be trained on all Aussie athletes, including the Matildas, before many of the football team return to their ‘day jobs’ with a host of European heavyweight clubs, gunning for Champions League glory. 

Caitlin Foord steals in to score for Arsenal.

A glance at the Matildas’ squad reveals why they should not only be bullish about their Olympic chances, but also individual club successes.

Ellie Carpenter’s Lyon are perennial heavyweights while superstar Sam Kerr’s Chelsea fell just short of sealing their greatest triumph this season – falling to Barcelona in the Champions League final in May.

Foord and Australia teammates Lydia Williams and Steph Catley will get their chance at the ECL after Arsenal sealed their spot next year with a third-placed finish in the English Super League.

“A couple of years ago Emily van Egmond was in the Champions League (with Danish side Fortuna Hjorring) and people wouldn’t have even known about it,” explains Foord.

“I think every kid in my generation watched Cathy Freeman (win gold at the Sydney Olympics). 

“It made every kid believe that you can achieve great things and it is doable seeing an Australian do it. Say Arsenal, Chelsea or Lyon win a Champions League, and you see Ellie, Sam or myself win a Champions League, that will be huge.”

Sam Kerr celebrates a goal for Chelsea. Picture: James Chance/Getty Images

UEFA this week signed a broadcast deal with global sports platform DAZN, in partnership with YouTube, which will allow the Women’s Champions League – featuring that ever increasing cast of Australians starring for European clubs – to be streamed free around the world for the next four years.

“I think [it] is massive and a huge game-changer for the women’s game and Champions League,” Foord said.

“With deals like this you can feel the growth and it’s just exciting because when I think back to when I was younger, there was no opportunity to watch these types of things.

“It’s just going to inspire more girls to play. You can only be what you see and this type of platform allows that for the next generation, and brings awareness.

“The World Cup is going to be in Australia and [that means] more eyes on the women’s game – it’s going to help leading into that, drawing more attention and obviously people being aware of the players coming and playing in the tournaments, and seeing them on the biggest stage in club football.”