The key statistics where the Matildas are superior to the Socceroos

Matildas

The largest women’s sporting event exceeded expectations when the Matildas’ opening match was arguably the greatest sporting moment that had been seen on Australian and perhaps New Zealand soil, with elation and football frenzy enclosing the stadium more than two hours from kick-off.

However, it was the day before that it was made official that more Matildas jerseys had been acquired in preparation to the tournament than that of the Socceroos merchandise during the entirety of the men’s World Cup at the end of last year.

The major sponsor of the CommBank Matildas, Nike, promote Sam Kerr independently in a contract worth as much as $1 million, who is an integral part for the marketing potential for the women’s team which is now superior to that of the men’s because of her star power by being the global face of Nike’s Mercurial boots, along with superstar players Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.

Vice President and General Manager of Nike Ashley Reade said in a statement:

“l think she is one of the biggest athletes in the world already, she would be right up there without question, as one of the most marketable athletes in the world,” he said.

“We want to look back on the 2020s as the decade of women’s sport which starts with this global football moment and extends to 2032 in Brisbane, we think women’s football has the biggest upside because it’s a truly global game and we would say is still under-penetrated.”

Kerr has deals with Mastercard and EA Sports, is the first woman to be on the cover of its premier sports video game and features in the latest Disney+ series, along with her contract at Chelsea which is reportedly valued more than $600,000 a season.

The jerseys for Australia’s women’s national football team are fabricated from recycled polyester featuring a marbled pattern drawing upon the golden wattle for their home strip, when it involves the jerseys kids are outselling the adults kits.

The sales of football boots, balls and jerseys is a lucrative business with $75 billion in total revenue last year.

Nike had been exploring the possible upside and downside of the Matildas performance, with the guaranteed three games in the group stage and the likely hood of knockout stages to follow.

“We’ve done a lot of work on a top down, bottom up with teams, looking at the Lionesses who won the Euros recently, how many kits did people buy, how long did that last? What if it doesn’t go so well or what if it goes really well? We’ve done a lot of work to triangulate, what is the right number?” Reade explained further.

The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Wide World of Sports named Kerr the most inspiring female in Australian Sport.

Reade added it is Kerr’s down-to-earth personality that makes her so noteworthy and marketable.

“Her abilities are unquestioned but the way she approaches life just makes her one of those out-of-the-box athletes, we always thought was something special,” he said.

“I just love her humility, she is so humble and so connected to her friends and family, she doesn’t take herself too seriously and she is just a beautiful spirit to be around.”

The Matildas will play their second game of the group stage against Nigeria at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane with kick-off at 8pm.

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Chelsea FC Partners with Ticketmaster on Digital Ticketing Strategy

Chelsea FC has secured a multi-year partnership with Ticketmaster, appointing the global ticketing company as its Official Ticketing Partner.

This agreement marks a significant operational shift, with Chelsea set to introduce a digital-first ticketing system for the 2025/26 season, designed to simplify access, enhance security, and combat ticket resale fraud.

This collaboration marks a significant upgrade to Chelsea’s matchday operations, aligning the club with world-class ticketing infrastructure already used by leading sports venues globally.

Starting with the 2025/26 season, digital tickets will replace physical tickets for all fixtures at Stamford Bridge, providing fans with a more efficient and secure access system. This move also aims to tackle ticket touting, a persistent issue in top-tier football, by leveraging Ticketmaster’s secure and traceable digital delivery platform.

Teaming up will grant Chelsea access to Ticketmaster’s suite of tools, including:

  • Seamless mobile ticket delivery
  • Anti-touting features
  • Scalable event ticketing for high-demand matches
  • Real-time ticket validation and fan data insights

Chelsea FC’s Chief Revenue Officer, Casper Stylsvig, reflected on the importance of the club’s new partnership with Ticketmaster.

“Partnering with a leading force in the industry brings significant value to our operations, ensuring we offer our fans a smoother, safer experience with best-in-class products, while continuing to address the issue of ticket touts,” he said via press release.

As one of the most recognised football brands globally, Chelsea’s shift to Ticketmaster’s platform underscores the club’s commitment to modernising fan engagement and match day experiences.

Managing Director at Ticketmaster Sport, Chris Gratton, shared his enthusiasm about the new partnership with Chelsea FC.

“Chelsea FC is one of the biggest clubs in football, and we’re excited to be part of their journey. Our goal is to make ticketing as simple as possible for fans,” he said via press release.

This move reflects a wider trend in the industry towards contactless, mobile-first stadium entry, which has become increasingly common in Premier League and UEFA competitions, especially after the accelerated adoption of digital solutions during the COVID era.

The alliance between Chelsea FC and Ticketmaster signals a new era for the club, introducing leading technology and expertise to elevate the match day experience for fans.

New initiatives advancing girls’ and women’s football participation

A Government program designed to increase female participation in sports will provide almost 50 clubs and organisations with support to upgrade and develop sporting facilities, programs and equipment.

Around $5.4 million has been allocated for the 2024-25 round of The Power of Her – Infrastructure and Participation Program (IPP), which aims to create more inclusive spaces for girls and women in sports.

The funded projects include things like unisex clubrooms, better lighting and playing surfaces, new uniforms and equipment, and opportunities for professional development.

The South Australian Government led by Peter Malinauskas launched the program to build on the success of the Matildas and the legacy of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

To support the growth of girls’ and women’s football, 14 football clubs will receive nearly $2.4 million in funding this round.

Other sports also benefit from the program, such as basketball, cricket, hockey, netball, gymnastics, and Australian Rules Football, providing more chances for girls and women to get involved and succeed in their chosen sports.

For example, Norwood Basketball Club is receiving $14,600 to launch their ‘Rising Flames’ program, helping girls progress to elite senior levels and develop local talent.

Other projects funded through the program include:

  • Metro United Women’s Football Club, Pooraka: $25,000 for new uniforms.
  • Booleroo Centre Tennis Club: $80,000 to resurface three tennis courts, replace fencing, and build a new equipment shed for their drought-affected club.
  • Cove Netball Hub: $392,700 to build four new netball courts in Hallett Cove.
  • Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club: $750,000 (through the council) for a new clubroom, synthetic soccer pitch, and multi-purpose oval at Munno Para Regional Sportsground, Davoren Park.

So far, over $7.6 million has been distributed through the IPP, with the second year providing more than twice the amount of support compared to the first round.

Nearly half of the infrastructure project recipients this round – including Jervois Bluds Netball Club and Murraylands Gymnastics Academy – are located in regional and greater metropolitan areas, showing the broad impact on communities across South Australia.

The State Government has committed $18 million to the IPP over three years, with $10 million specifically set aside for football.

This effort is part of a wider push to eliminate barriers to female participation, including support for clubs with period products and menstrual health training.

South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Emily MLC Bourke highlighted the importance of supporting women in sport at a grassroots level.

“Our Government recognises the importance of supporting grassroots sports to ensure girls and women have opportunities to thrive in whichever sport they pursue,” she said in a press release.

“Having the right facilities, programs and equipment in place gives girls and women the space and confidence they need to get involved and stay active with their local club.

“As The Power of Her investment continues to grow, it’s inspiring to see clubs and organisations finding new and creative ways to grow female participation and facilitate high performance pathways in their communities.”

For more information, you can find the full list of 2024-2025 IPP grants here.

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