Three sleeps until the Women’s World Cup. I’m jumping out of my skin, feeling very proud as a former Matilda to be sharing this moment in history with all you ‘soccerchix’ fans, family and friends of the women’s game. Canada 2015 is going to be something special.
While the FIFA debacle tries to distract interest from the biggest women’s sporting event in the world, it will not detract from this tournament’s place, where it belongs, around the world and in every home here in Australia. To see our Matildas; our teammate/sister/daughter/partner/colleague perform on the world stage where their integrity and love affair with the game cannot go unnoticed.
These women are working, studying and trying to juggle life whilst being expected to live up to all the expectations of a professional athlete. Here it is girls – you need to sacrifice everything and give your all for this game. It’s not right that the commitment of time and quality of performance that women invest is not duly compensated. There is no doubt there should be more monetary value placed upon women with a professional athletic status so sport can be a viable career option for young girls to aspire to. The women’s game does have a strong cultural history that brings an unrivalled heroic inspiration coming from playing for your country for no money but because you are proud of your achievements and dedication to your craft and love the game so much you want it to succeed no matter what.
The artificial surface that the matches are being played on create yet another obstacle for players to overcome, but add it to the list – these women are focused and fully devoted to their love of football and representing their country. They will not let anything get in the way of putting their best on display at this tournament.
I will thoroughly enjoy watching every woman involved in this tournament and look forward to seeing their inspirational efforts flow through to benefit women and society. Strong, determined women playing with such integrity for the love of their life – football.
Mel Freeman says
Well said Joey!
Tania Tracey says
Yep, go girls!