Groundbreaking pay deal to give Matildas access to same off-field support as the Socceroos
The goals keep flowing for the Matildas following their groundbreaking equal pay deal with the national team sharing all the same off-field benefits as their male counterparts.
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The Matildas will get the same off-field benefits as the Socceroos under the major new pay deal which will enshrine the principle of equal pay for both teams.
The Matildas’ long battle for equivalent treatment for areas such as travel, sports science and medical support will be recognised with both the male and female teams to enjoy the same allocations of business class flights, off-field personnel and support services.
As The Daily Telegraph revealed late on Monday, the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) – which could be unveiled as soon as Wednesday – puts both the Matildas and the Socceroos on a level playing field in terms of pay for playing, and in terms of the commercial benefits that flow from the national teams such as sponsorship, merchandise sales and so on.
Players flying long distances for games will be treated equally whether called up for the Matildas or Socceroos, and have access to similar levels of support staff.
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The CBA will establish the principle of equity across pay and conditions for both senior national teams, in a deal that all parties involved believe will set a global precedent.
A tiny handful of other countries have equalised the pay of their men’s and women’s teams in the last two years but with caveats, such as the men taking a pay cut.
According to sources familiar with negotiations, the Socceroos have not had to take a significant pay cut to achieve the desired goal. Instead they have agreed to share future commercial income and prize money straight down the middle.
Matildas players professed themselves to be both delighted and relieved to be on the cusp of receiving the same pay as their male counterparts.
Fresh from a World Cup that underlined the unprecedented expectation on Australia’s women’s national team, the Matildas are set to benefit from a forward-thinking deal befitting the ever-gathering momentum for gender parity in football.
It earned a glowing review from vice-captain Steph Catley.
“We do the same processes as them for games and training and everything,” Catley told The Daily Telegraph. “The deal hasn’t been finalised … so we’ll just have to let the PFA and FFA work that out.
“But obviously any kind of equality we’ve been striving for years. Any type of increase in investment for women’s football is just so important for us.
“The Socceroos have always been so supportive of us and want the best for us, and we’ve been in the top 10 of women’s football for a long time – I feel like Australia is just starting to realise we have been pretty successful for a while.
“In terms of growing women’s football, there’s so many girls these days wanting to play and are playing, and this step forward is only going to be better for the future.
“It’s another massive step for us and hopefully there are more steps to come and it can be a full-time career and pathway for girls.”
A groundbreaking facet of the agreement is the Socceroos’ willingness to correct the gender imbalance that historically has meant significant financial hardship for Australia’s female footballers.
“For them to have bought into us,” defender Alanna Kennedy said.
“Throughout the talks there’s been a lot of collaboration with the two teams. For us as females, it’s always good when you’re appreciated and they show the support.
“We’re hoping (it’s finalised) by the end of the week. If we were to get it across the line it’s exciting and a huge step forward for us.
“It’s the way the world is moving at the moment. That’s the fight we’ve been fighting for so long.