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The Conversation
The Conversation
Jessica Richards, Senior Lecturer Sport Business Management, Western Sydney University

The Matildas keep soaring but the league, and players, beneath them are being left behind

The Matildas, Australia’s women’s soccer side, have become one of the nation’s most beloved teams, filling stadiums, breaking TV records and driving unprecedented growth at grassroots level.

Federal government data reveals 21,000 additional women and girls have taken up football since the 2023 World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

But while support for the national team continues to rise, the professional league sitting directly underneath is struggling.

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