At a girls school only minutes away from Sydney’s Stadium Australia, the students have all tied yellow and green ribbons in their hair.
Asked by a teacher during Monday morning’s assembly who would be watching the Matildas’ round of 16 clash against Denmark, the girls shoot up their hands.
“It has been inspiring a lot more girls to play football because it shows women can do what men can,” says Mia, a year 7 student at Meriden Anglican school for girls.
“It feels like this is the best moment for women’s sport … my dad and my brother all as excited as I am.”
Close to 80,000 people are expected to cheer on the Matildas as they vie for a place in the quarter-finals at Stadium Australia on Monday night. Other fans are preparing their picnic rugs for local live screenings, or donning their green and gold to watch at the pub or at home.
On Monday, a mural to mark Australia being at the centre of the world’s biggest women’s sporting event was unveiled at Sydney’s Bondi Beach sea wall. Designed by Football Australia’s creative manager, Ryan Ostle, and painted by artist Danielle Weber, it shows eight cheering Matildas players, including captain Sam Kerr.
“This artwork celebrates and highlights the power of women breaking down the barriers to achieve their full potential, which in turn inspires young athletes to do the same,” Weber says.
While many Australians are anxious, perhaps few are shuffling in eager anticipation as much the young girls who get the chance to watch their role models shine again.
On Sunday, Matildas coach, Tony Gustavsson, gave the news Australians had been holding their collective breath to hear: star striker Sam Kerr will probably take to the field for the first time during the tournament after a calf injury had put her on the sidelines.
The news has heightened excitement at Meridan for Monday night’s match.
“There’s not been a time where she hasn’t been the favourite,” year 9 student, Amanda, says of Kerr.
But Kerr’s absence so far has seen the girls find other favourites. For Mia, it’s 20-year-old Mary Fowler.
“She’s really young and it’s so inspiring to see her get to that level,” Mia says. “She is a striker and I’m a striker … so I want to try to do the cool tricks she does.”
Meriden’s principal, Lisa Brown, says in the lead up to the game the school has been screening highlights from the matches and more and more girls have been hitting the fields at lunchtime to emulate their favourite players.
“I’m really hopeful this will lead to a real lasting change on women’s sport,” Brown says.
The most inspiring part for year 11 student, Kayla, was hearing Matildas player Katrina Gorry reflecting on how far women’s sport has come.
“She was saying how women’s soccer was not televised when she was younger, and she had no idols,” Kayla says. “She couldn’t see what she could become and now she’s an idol for so many people.
“I think the stereotype that women’s sport isn’t as intense or good as men’s sport instant around now. Everyone is getting into it, both men and women.
“It’s a real unifying moment.”
