Last night, yours truly was glued to the big screen watching the Matilda’s and the Lionesses battle it out in the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. If I’d had the chance I would’ve been all decked out in the green and gold and wearing a Matilda’s jersey, but I’m only a Jackie-come-lately in the supporter’s department and I couldn’t even dig out anything green and gold out of the wardrobe. I just had to go as myself.
Expectations were riding high too. If we could defeat the French (albeit by the narrowest of margins in a tighter than tight match), we could thrash our nemesis “the Pommes”. There’s naturally been a long history of intense rivalry between our nations most notably incapsulated in the cricket Ashes series. We like to think we’re more than a scratch above the pasty looking lot who come out here to fry and burn on our beaches. Nothing injures our Aussie pride more than a thrashing by the Pommes.
Video highlights of the match: https://www.matildas.com.au/video/230816-matildas-england-fd
Somehow, the Matildas’ run for the World Cup captured the Australian nation by storm. Audiences for the semi-final reached a staggering 11.15 million people nationally with an average audience of 7.13 million, making it the most watched TV program since the OzTAM measurement started in 2001. I don’t know how they calculated these figures because we had a room full of people watching it together on the big screen so I’m thinking these figures are the tip of a massive iceberg.
The big question I have is why were we watching it? Even more so, why were we so engaged it in and why did we care? How did we get so swept away on this tidal wave of passionate support when I’m sure I’m not the only one who had never watched a game of soccer before? It wasn’t just a case of being part of the crowd. There was something within me which was wakened from the dead and set on fire. Not only was I passionate about the Matilda’s winning, but my feelings towards the English flared up as well. The TV coverage poured kerosene on the fire too showing these proud beaming English fans all decked out in their supporters’ gear especially after they’d shot goals. I was actually quite surprised at how easy it was for me to get caught up in the proverbial “Us versus Them” and I could[‘ve gone into battle myself if I hadn’t been well away from the stadium and out of harm’s way. There was definitely something very tribal about it all and to be honest not all of it good.
Unfortunately, we lost and England beat us 3-1.
However, we have another game coming up on Sunday when we fight off against Sweden for third place. I am hoping to join my friends again in front of the big screen but if not, I’ll definitely be watching on at home.
I don’t know what this tidal wave of support means for women’s sport, soccer etc in Australia. One hopes there’s a long term flow on effect. I hope that the current Matildas receive just rewards for their efforts. While they now receive equal pay with their male counterparts, it’s been a very rough slog to get there and they’ve battled for support on all fronts. It would also be so encouraging for young girls and women to play soccer and feel they could make a good living professionally. That they don’t have to hold multiple jobs just to make ends meet especially when their male equivalents are raking it in. Also that girls can play soccer just as much as netball or any other sport. That gender doesn’t define you.
Meanwhile, I’m grateful for the sacrifices the Matildas have made along the way and commend them on a job very well done. While they might not have beaten England last night, they have certainly conquered the nation and have very much broken new ground there. It will be interesting to see what lies ahead.
Did you watch any of the Matilda’s matches? Any thoughts? I’d love to hear from you!
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 