Tassie stalwart hopes Matildas momentum can be springboard for change

South Hobart’s women’s skipper says football powerbrokers can’t rest on their laurels and assume the explosion of interest in the female game will continue after the World Cup, urging them to be proactive in seizing their chance.

South Hobart Womens Super League Captain, Sophie Westwood. Picture: Linda Higginson

South Hobart skipper Sophie Westwood has urged football powerbrokers to ensure the explosion of interest around the women’s game during the World Cup is the springboard for long term change.

Record crowds and TV ratings is tipped to result in an explosion in participation, particularly at introductory grassroots level.

But Westwood, who guided her team to its first Women’s Super League title with four games remaining with a 5-0 victory over Kingborough, said the game has to be proactive in seizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“It’s been crazy. You’ve seen lots of codes prioritising watching the Matildas even if they were having their own games, like the AFL (showing it on big screens at games),” she said. “It’s definitely taking the spotlight over the other codes at the moment, which is so exciting to see.

“It will be important to find a way to keep the momentum going after the World Cup. It’s easy to get excited about something when it’s here, but once it’s out of people’s vision they kind of forget about it.

“Prioritising infrastructure, marketing and anything involved in keeping the game at the forefront of people’s minds will be absolutely vital.

“It seems like everyone has a pretty good understanding of it (women’s football), whereas previously if you spoke about soccer or football, people either aren’t really interested in the women or don’t know anything about it.

“It’s really cool, and a nice change from what we’re used to.”

Westwood hopes the profile of the women’s game at the moment will help accelerate the campaign for a national cup competition to be introduced as soon as next year.

South Hobart also won the state cup trophy with victory over Launceston United in the final earlier this season.

South Hobart celebrates after officially clinching the WSL title at Kingborough on Friday night. Picture: Victoria Morton

“It’s only fair we would get a (national) cup like the men do,” she said.

“That would help integrate all the states as well and show we’re worthy of having people come to watch our games.

“I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t do it. If we’re serious about keeping women’s football just as important as men, then they’re going to have to start doing things like this to make sure it’s the case.

“We’re very grateful for the coverage we’ve had, and there’s been lots of improvement the last couple of years. But the world cup will spur people to be on high alert for the women’s game as well, and it should take more priority in those board rooms to make better decisions and give us more opportunities.”

After winning 12 and drawing two games thus far, Westwood said her side is determined to stay unbeaten this campaign.

They haven’t conceded a goal since round seven in mid-May and have a goal difference of plus-46.

Meanwhile, Kingborough set up a blockbuster battle for fourth spot with Launceston City next week with a 5-2 win at Clarence.

The match was for the first annual Franklin Cup, which helps raise funds and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

The Lions’ third straight win puts them two points clear in fourth ahead of City, who have a game in hand to play against lowly Riverside United.

Kingborough coach Alfred Hess said playing all their final four games at their Lightwood Park home, which has been unavailable for most of the campaign due to venue upgrades, is a huge opportunity.

“That’s something we can look forward to. It’s been a nomadic experience for us this year, and that’s presented some challenges,” he said.

“There’s a real aura when you play at home that can’t necessarily be replicated elsewhere. We’ve done our best to create a feeling in other places we’ve gone to, but it’s just not the same.

“It becomes a huge match for us on the weekend. We want to continue to be in that (top four) conversation.”

NPL WEEK 17

South Hobart 7 (J.Fidra 12”, I.Van Doorne 13” 15”, T.Herweynen 63”, N.Morton 67” G.Higgins 80”, L.Semmler 90”) def Launceston United 0; Glenorchy Knights 3 (E.Luttmer 9”, J.Richardson 29”) def Riverside Olympic 0; Launceston City 0 def by Devonport 1 (R.Garrido 57”); Clarence Zebras 2 (S.Tooze 66” R.Dillon 78”) def by Kingborough Lions 5 (N.Mies 2”,A.Othman 39” 67” 90+10”, D.Taylor 84”)

WSL WEEK 16

Kingborough Lions 0 def by South Hobart FC 5 (L.Roberts 25”, J.Mamic 48” 67” 75” 76”); Clarence Zebras 0 def by Devonport Strikers 5 (J.White 8” 70”, G.King 19”, M.Payne 28” 51”); Launceston United 3 (A.Otto 12” 49”, A.Ikeda 80”) def Taroona 2 (J.Williams 20”, 87”)