On Saturday afternoon, three days after the Matildas played Uzbekistan in front of a sell-out crowd, I stood outside Commbank Stadium waiting for the gates to open ahead of the Western Sydney Wanderers vs Sydney FC doubleheader. The women’s teams would play ahead of the men, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm.
But at 4.45pm, not a single person in line had entered the stadium.
I had read that gates would open at 4.45pm but thought surely that was a mistake. Opening gates a mere 15 minutes before kick-off would mean most fans wouldn’t be able to get into the stadium before the game began — which was exactly what happened. Barely anyone was inside by the time the announcer read the list of players. The women’s teams had to start playing in front of an almost empty stadium.
It’s astounding that in the same week the Matildas secured their spot at the Olympics in front of 50,000 people, match organisers couldn’t open the gates in time for most fans to see the start of one of the biggest derbies of the A-League season. If you were a fan wanting to make the most of the occasion by watching the warmups and cheering the players onto the field, a key part of the match-going experience, you had no chance. If this had happened before the men’s game, there would’ve been an uproar. Why was it acceptable at a women’s match?
Following the extraordinary success of the Matildas in the Women’s World Cup, there has been extensive media coverage on how women’s football is on the up and up (not to mention the current media frenzy over the allegations surrounding captain Sam Kerr). Politicians have been quick to promise increased funding and better facilities for women’s sport. In August 2023, the Albanese government pledged $200 million, declaring the Matildas had “changed sport forever”. This funding is set to kick in this year.
In the meantime, as a match-going Sydney FC Women member, I’m yet to see the inspiration the Matildas provided translate into improved conditions for women across the A-League. I have loved going to home games at Leichhardt Oval, sitting on the hill and cheering the team on (and there’s always been plenty of time to grab food, get settled, and watch the players come onto the field). Seeing young girls and boys flock to the front of the stands at the end of each game to say hi to the players, whom they all know by name, is lovely to witness.
However, I’ve also peered over running tracks to watch games in venues made for athletics, not football, while nearby stadiums were vacant. I’ve watched as subs have sat on plastic seats on the sidelines with no protection from the scorching sun or pouring rain. And at the away double header I attended on Saturday, the women’s game felt almost like an afterthought. When I bought tickets, the event start time was listed as 7.45pm — the kick-off time for the men’s match. The confirmation email and digital ticket said the same. There was no mention of the 5pm women’s game also included in the ticket.
Every single player in the current Matildas squad cut their teeth in the A-League at some point in their careers, and it’s clear that it’s the best place for future Matildas to develop their skills. Many current Tillies players, including Cortnee Vine, Michelle Heyman and Tameka Yallop, still ply their trade there. What else can we do to provide them with the support they deserve?
Letting fans into the stadium on time would be a pretty good start.
