The Tillies aren’t done and neither are we with even more Matildas action to come on Network 10 and Paramount+ with the Olympic qualifiers in October. And #DYK that every member of the Matildas World Cup squad has played, or currently plays in the Liberty A-League? The next season kicks off in October on Network 10 and Paramount+. But while we wait for even more football action, Tara Rushton reflects on the Matildas World Cup Success and how they’ve come to unify Australia and shine a light on our incredible female athletes. #tilitsdone #Matildas
What a whirlwind four weeks it has been in the wonderful world of football!
If you weren’t a fan before, chances are you’re now following every player on Instagram and Googling where you can sign up for a social game to have a crack yourself.
The Matildas have made history and become the beacon of change in women’s sport in Australia.
Paramount ANZ Sports Host, Tara Rushton reflects on the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and what it has meant to so many of us.
Tara said: “Mini, takes one touch with her right foot, then with her left slides the ball to Sam Kerr who looks up and, with space ahead of her and room to run, begins to drive towards the goal…
“Millie Bright is the only England shirt ahead of her, and with pure instinct and power, from well outside the box, Kerr unleashes a rocket that rips through the night-sky and into the top-left-corner of the goal.
“A ripple of euphoria erupts across Stadium Australia. 75,000 fans collapse into raptures. There are tears, screams, and pure explosions of joy – because we all know that we have just witnessed the best goal we have ever seen.
“I still remember the feeling of my heart beating in my chest, rising to my feet, and punching my hands to the sky – willing and praying for this team, and for this moment, to never end.
“The 2023 Women’s World Cup has delivered the most incredible tournament I have ever experienced – record breaking, history making, and narrative changing. It captivated the nation and brought us all together at a time when we needed it most.
“The Matildas represent us. They represent equality. They represent what a strong female athlete can look like, can achieve, and can fight for. They represent being unashamedly who you are and who you were born to be.
“This team, and the hundreds of incredible athletes from around the world who came to compete, have announced themselves onto the world stage and shouted from the pitch: ‘We deserve to be here and we are not going anywhere.’
“Sport is the ultimate soundtrack to some of the best moments of our lives… and that Wednesday night on the 16th of August sits at the top of the playlist. A night that opened up new possibilities, where we dared to think ‘why not me?’ and we stopped questioning whether we belonged.
“They say ‘Football is life’, and we absolutely lived that motto over the past month.”
What’s next for the Matilda’s? Their Olympic Qualifiers get underway this October on Network 10 and Paramount+!
- Thursday, 26 October: CommBank Matildas v Iran
- Sunday, 29 October: CommBank Matildas v Philippines
- Wednesday, 1 November: CommBank Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Fun Fact! Did you know that every member of the Matildas World Cup squad has played, or currently plays in the Liberty A-League Womens?
The season kicks off on 14 October with every match live and free on 10 Play, and live on Paramount+, plus a special broadcast of the opening round fixture between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers live on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+.
