The Growth of Women’s Football in Australia Since the 2023 World Cup
282 days ago, one of Australia’s most famous World Cup runs came to an end, when the Lionesses outclassed the Matildas in Sydney. Australia would finish 4th, but that tournament sent shockwaves around the country that are still being felt today.
“The change has been astronomical really, since the World Cup for me, since the Euros in England for the League.” Steph Catley said in Melbourne on Thursday.
“I’m in a really privileged position where I play at home for the Matildas and we are selling out every stadium we play at.
“I go home and if we play at the Emirates for the club, we sell that out and play in front of massive crowds.”
Catley and her Arsenal skipper, Kim Little, still remember the days at Melbourne City, where they became A-League Champions in 2016.
“Since [the 15-16 A-League Grand Final], [4000] was a big crowd back then, and a crowd we would’ve been grateful for.”
“It’s now something that’s completely different and the expectation has been blown away since the World Cup in Australia,” Catley said.
“It’s pretty incredible to be here in Melbourne, especially after the World Cup last year, where the Matildas were pretty successful. It’s special to see it in a different country to England. It shows how far we’ve come,” Little began.
“We played the final against Sydney about 8 years ago. I loved living here, I love the city, I’ve got personal memories here.”
Unfortunately, while the Women’s Super League has sold out stadiums across the UK, the Women’s A-League hasn’t been able to reach those heights in Australia, with the average attendance a little over two thousand people.
“It takes time, that is part of it. I think you can see that once people see the potential in things [they’ll invest]. Whether it’s clubs that are traditionally men’s clubs investing in their women’s teams and national teams investing in their women’s team, there is that potential,” Little said.
“I think we are a prime example of that.”
Kim Little signed for Arsenal in 2008 and compares the differences between now and then.
“I signed for Arsenal when I was 17, We played at the Emirates that season, actually. I think there was a few thousand there.
“I’ve been here a lot longer than some of the players that I’m playing with now. Especially Kyra [Cooney-Cross].”
“She’s one of our younger midfielders. I like to think that I have helped her.”
“To see what we’ve done in the last couple of years, selling out the Emirates, to show everyone not just the global attraction, of not just the Men’s team, but the Women’s team.”
Tameka Yallop has been in football for as long as Little, signing for Brisbane Roar in 2008.
“We are seeing the next steps of [development, with] an overseas team coming here, that has also followed in those footsteps at one point in time.” Yallop said.
“We don’t all start at the top and not all clubs are run to perfection until someone creates that perfection."
Yallop also reflected on the start to grassroots football now in Australia.
“To me personally, I think it’s been absolutely amazing. It’s been immense, every single club that I’ve seen in Brisbane or the Gold Coast has a mini Matildas team.
“[The clubs] are really focusing on women’s football and getting more girls involved. For me, I’ve seen it firsthand going into clubs and looking at what they’re starting to do now for women’s football. I don’t think we can ask for anything more.”
Catley also opened up on the Asian Cup being held in Australia in 2026.
“It’s very exciting, I think the way the World Cup went, how it felt being here playing on home soil.”
“I think it’s exactly what we needed: another home tournament. The Asian Cup is huge and we haven’t won one in a while. We are definitely due a trophy win and that would be a great opportunity to do it on home soil.
“I can only imagine the turnout based on how the World Cup went. It’s exciting times.”