The Matildas aren’t afraid of taking on the haters

It was labelled a “slap in the face to all Australians”, but it’s just one example of how this Aussie team will stand up for what it believes.

While our state leaders throw sly insults at each other over Covid-19 and lockdowns, there is a group of young Australians that truly represents us.

Tonight the Matildas — a team we can all be proud of to represent us on the world stage — take on Sweden in the semi-final of the women’s football at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Matildas’ run at the Olympics — including a nailbiting 4-3 win in extra time against Great Britain — has been a welcome distraction from the news in Australia.

The Aussie team’s tournament has been far from perfect — they lost 4-2 to Sweden and played out a dull 0-0 against the United States in the group stage.

But as former Socceroo Craig Foster explained, it is “more than just a game”.

“Why is that important? Why is it not just a game?” Foster wrote on Instagram after the quarterfinal win.

“Because the Matildas are at the forefront of gender equality in sport, which we know has beneficial effects in society.

“They fought for their right to equal treatment, standing together in 2015 in a labour strike, which took immense courage and with the support of the Socceroos and their players association, achieved pay parity across National Teams.

“They are strong, outspoken, powerful Australian women achieving excellence in the global sport.

“They stood behind the Aboriginal flag, knowing it would trigger the racists in society and politics, and have long been fierce advocates for LGBTI.

“Last night, a new mark in Australian Football was again pioneered by the women, an Olympic semi final.

“They don’t back down and they never give up. They’re the Matildas.”

And he’s not wrong.

Before the Matildas first game in Japan, they displayed the Aboriginal flag rather than taking a knee.

Australia's forward Mary Fowler celebrates her goal with teammates during extra time against Great Britain.

“It was something that we spoke a lot to as a team. We let the Indigenous girls drive it,” captain Sam Kerr said after the game.

“We felt that we didn’t want to just do something to go with the grain; we wanted to do something that was relevant to our country and show unity within our group and let everyone feel that they’re represented. We feel really proud of it.”

Predictably the gesture was met with criticism from some corners, with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson saying it was a “slap in the face” to all Australians.

“The Matildas should stick to playing soccer and represent all Australians at the Tokyo Olympics instead of using the event as a platform for the politics of division,” Hanson complained.

The Matildas are a team for all Aussies.

But this team isn’t a “slap in the face” to Australians, it represents modern Australia.

It’s a team we should celebrate.

Celebrate a team with Indigenous stars Kyah Simon, Gema Simon and Lydia Williams. Celebrate Mary Fowler, who scored a crucial goal in the win against Team GB at just 18 years of age.

Celebrate a team of young women who have barely played a game together in the past two years because of Covid now being so close to a medal.

A team that hails from all parts of Australia and has players with Indian, Italian, English Papua New Guinean heritage among others.

Just like its male counterparts the Socceroos, the Matildas are a team that represent what it is to be Australians in 2021.