SA women’s soccer receiving major Matildas boost

SA women’s soccer is set for a major boost in interest and participation amid the World Cup success of the Matildas, with local clubs now calling for significant investment into the future.

South Australia’s female soccer teams are set for a major boost in interest and participation amid the World Cup success of the Matildas, but club leaders say the state needs to capitalise quickly.

Enthusiasm has been at an all-time high at the Adelaide Jaguars – SA’s biggest women’s soccer club – since the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off on July 20.

With interest and participation in the women’s game already experiencing a surge in SA, the Jaguars are expecting another major spike as superstar Sam Kerr and the Matildas prepare to clash with France in this weekend’s quarter finals.

“It’s been a phenomenal tournament so far, I think those of us behind the scenes knew it would be this successful but it’s taken a lot of the public and prominent leaders by surprise,” club chairperson and member of the state government’s Women In Sport Taskforce, Bronny Brooks said.

“It’s going to increase participation from females young and old and in turn benefit mental, social and physical health and wellbeing.

Ruby Webber (U13s), Angelique Juric (U9s) and Lara Hoffman (seniors) of the Adelaide Jaguars Soccer Club. The women’s game is set for a significant spike in participation amid the success of the Matildas. Picture: Ben Clark

“The Matildas and the World Cup in general have really created that momentum and it’s now a pivotal time not just in SA or Australia but across the globe – we need to take advantage of it.”

The Jaguars accommodate teams for females of all ages, from girls aged five to women 35 and over.

Brooks said the momentum of the Matildas and the home World Cup had helped to motivate and inspire not just the young girls, but the seniors as well.

“There’s been so much excitement around it,” she said.

“We always say if you can’t see it you can’t be it and for young girls they can now see the Matildas coming together on and off the pitch and they can aspire to get to that level, they know there’s a pathway there.

The Jaguars remain without an established facility and hope more investment will be made into the women’s game after the World Cup’s success. Picture: Ben Clark

“One of our biggest growth groups recently has been women over 35, they’re realising they can tap into this and enjoy something in a team environment.

“I think a lot of women can identify with a number of players in the Matildas squad – they see players like Katrina Gorry have a baby and continue playing. It’s fantastic, they’re the perfect role models.”

While a spike in participation can only be a positive for the women’s game in Australia, Brooks said a lot more still needed to be done in funding and resources.

She believed if SA and the rest of the nation could take advantage of the sport’s momentum, Australia would be a force to be reckoned with long into the future.

“We need to keep this momentum going – if we fail to capture this moment and fail to identify the need for resources and infrastructure we’ll lose grasp of all of this,” Brooks said.

“We’re the largest female club in the state but we don’t have a facility or any storage for our gear.

“Governments can’t shy away from it anymore, we now see the value and the potential is there and the women’s game now needs the proper backing at local level.”

Originally published as SA women’s soccer receiving major Matildas boost