One of the biggest international sporting tournaments has landed in the back of Australia’s net, but will soccer fade into the shadows when the competition is over, or will its legacy last for years to come?
Perth was the lucky recipient of five FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, as Australia co-hosted the tournament with New Zealand.
China, Denmark, Canada, Ireland, Panama, Jamaica, Haiti, Morocco and Colombia all scored fixtures in the west.
The cup attracted sell-out crowds and people travelled to Perth from as far as Dublin and Vancouver.
It has been praised for shining a spotlight on women’s sport as well as for bringing diverse communities together.
But towards the back end of the cup, questions are being asked about how soccer will maintain momentum in what is largely considered an AFL state, and what more can be done to ensure the women’s game in Australia is treated equally to the men’s.
Gaps in the women’s league
Fremantle City Football Club head coach Faye Chambers hopes co-hosting the World Cup will help inspire the next generation of athletes.
“I hope the legacy after the Women’s World Cup will improve the participation overall for females in football, hopefully improve the investment in the sport to improve the facilities and improve female coaches across the country as well,” Chambers said.
As the only female coach in the NPL, Chambers wants to see more women in coaching positions across the country.
“In regards to pay, again that’s a huge issue around the world but the pay’s not there just yet. Spectators aren’t there yet, there’s a few things we still need to improve on,” she said.
“Facilities is another one that we need some huge steps to move forward in … in regards to urinals, changing rooms, they’re not fit for purpose for females.”
More work needed
Football writer, former coach and volunteer Neil Bennett has been involved in women’s football for more than two decades.
He’s watched his daughter Carla Bennett rise from her local junior league to Perth Glory and said the main legacy from the FIFA Women’s World Cup being held in Australia would be awareness of the women’s game.
Mr Bennett said after a long investment drought, funds were starting to trickle through.
He said participation in the sport had risen and the hype around the cup could have contributed to that trend.
“And I think as we go forward beyond the World Cup that will only continue and hopefully the investment will continue as well to help really grow the game,” Mr Bennett said.
“It’s a massive challenge being in a state where the predominant sport is AFL. The media coverage is dominated by AFL and women’s football outside of the FIFA World Cup rates hardly a mention even during the A-league season.”
A Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries spokesperson said the state government was working closely with Football West to ensure football clubs across WA were prepared to support new players coming into the game.
“The FIFA WWC is fantastic opportunity to see strong role models for young girls playing across all sporting codes to emulate, and has the potential to continue the strong growth and development we have seen in female participation across a number of high profile sports,” they said.
“The state has received a legacy funding proposal from Football West, which is currently being worked through.”
