Cringeworthy Matildas fan trend is getting out of hand, needs to stop

The Matildas are the toast of the nation after an epic 2023 but an ugly trend has emerged in the fandom for Australia’s favourite team.

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A growing trend among Matildas fans needs to stop.

The Matildas have quickly become Australia’s favourite team, as seen by record TV ratings and sellout crowds every time they played at the FIFA World Cup and now in their homecoming in Perth.

They’re arguably our best national team, right alongside the Diamonds and women’s cricket team, who have won World Cups and every trophy on offer in their respective sports.

But the team’s success on the world stage, as well as the popularity of the players, has sparked a level of fandom that is starting to get out of control.

At sporting games around the world, the latest fad is for fans to hold up signs asking for a piece of a player’s kit, whether that be boots, jerseys, or something else.

At the three Matildas games in Perth in the last week, there were signs galore in the crowd.

There were plenty of stock standard “I love Sam Kerr” messages, but there were countless signs begging players to give fans some of their gear.

These are some of the messages from fans desperate for a Matildas jersey:

— Can I have your top Fowler

— Hayley Raso you’re an amazing player. Can I please have your shirt

— Ellie or Alanna odds on out of 10 for your jersey?

— Macca, rock paper scissors for your shirt?

— Hayley, shirt pretty pls?

— Kyra can I have your jersey pls?

Matildas fans with their signs. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Can I pls have your shirt? (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

The signs are creative but cringe. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

The Matildas do a great job of giving time to the fans after games, but it seems the days where a selfie, autograph or just a quick g’day were enough are long gone.

Diehard Tillies supporters are even playing games of scissors, paper, rock against each other to try and get a jersey from their favourite player.

Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has given her boots away and Sam Kerr gifted one lucky fan the jersey off her back after the Matildas’ heartbreaking loss in the third place playoff at the World Cup.

Matildas fans aren’t the only ones who’ve taken to asking for their favourite player’s gear.

A couple of years ago, LeBron James even removed his orthotics before giving a fan his shoes after an NBA game.

A Matildas jersey is the hottest ticket in town. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

The love for the green and gold is turning ugly. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

But while it’s fantastic youngsters have awesome role models in the Matildas, let’s be real. The begging for their kit is cringeworthy, unrealistic, borderline transactional and needs to stop.

Brand Finance Australia recently told news.com.au the Matildas’ brand value is now worth up to $210 million and the team is well on the way to “becoming an iconic Australian brand”.

But despite being one of our best performing teams, it’s important to remember the landscape for women in sport is still changing and the Matildas aren’t paid as much as their male counterparts.

They received around $258,000 each for finishing fourth at the World Cup, but the overall prize money for the FIFA tournament was around 10 per cent of what the men received in 2022.

I don’t care how much you spent on glitter at the reject shop, the 👏🏻 girls 👏🏻 don’t 👏🏻 owe 👏🏻 you 👏🏻 anything 👏🏻

The amount of signs begging for kits is wild to me #matildas#AUSvTPE

— Maddie Date (@maddie_date) November 1, 2023

this trend needs to stop for the love of god https://t.co/aw30cC7KVN

— alysha ♡ 樂★ (@venomhaven) November 1, 2023

STOP ASKING FOR THEIR GEAR ON YOUR SIGNS OMG #Matildas#AUSvTPE

— caseyu (@CaseyU84) November 1, 2023

While the likes of Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Ellie Carpenter and Mary Fowler are household names and have sponsorship deals, many of their teammates aren’t quite living a life of luxury.

Players like Courtney Vine and Tameka Yallop are plying their trade in the A-League Women and only get a few jerseys for the season.

And spare a thought for players like Amy Sayer, Clare Wheeler and Alex Chidiac who are relishing every time they step on the pitch for Australia and might want to hold onto every Matildas shirt they earn.

It’s tough for the Matildas to keep every fan happy. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

The Matildas achieved Australia’s best ever result at a FIFA World Cup by making the semifinals and the team is still very much on the rise.

After consecutive fourth place finishes at the Tokyo Olympics and the World Cup, the Matildas will be determined to break through for a medal at the Paris Olympics and have some silverware to show for this golden generation of players.

So let’s keep celebrating the Matildas and the force for good they are. Maybe fans can take a leaf out of their book.