Completely just throwing it out there, but after seeing them all over channel 7 and the morning jerks completely gushing over them...

Is there an element to their popularity and acceptance by the aus media/politicians/public because they're largely Anglos with Aussie sounding names.

Look at the athletes Australia likes to put on a pedestal - the swimmers 'golden girls' etc. 

In no way am I saying they don't deserve success etc, just asking the question. If the players had names like 'Fatima Hasanovic' etc would it all be the same? 

Another interesting element to that question of would they be as popular is, why isn't there more cultural diverse presentation from the Australian community in the teams? Is this because of defined gender roles in communities that normally produce good male footballers?

Sling your sh1t at me peeps....

Possibly... the fact Lydia Williams got the reception she did when some of our golden gen never got that send off let alone a personal thank you from a mega sports star in Australian culture.

There's also been zero coverage about the Socceroos game on Thursday. But a lot about the matildas preparing for the olympics.... the men not qualifying is fucking disaster and needs to be seriously rectified.  Australians really get up for the olympics. 

jas88, yer agree our Roos not making Paris woeful a huge miss yet many here were quoting big deal it not matter etcetc but to me it is.
The exposure, yep we luv watching any of our athletes competing in the Olympics, big fail for me.
Whereas look at the Tildas, plus plus plus, qualied in the ball game no matter what it means in the end your there !
Wait for the lead up of their games.
I did see alot of ads re the coming Roo game during the other night coverage though.
Haven't heard anything on the radio whilst driving yet.
I hear you re the Williams reception, why haven't any of the past "greats" been given a send off as such - doesn't need to apply to what she recieved.

Interesting read tsf and I get your thought space here.
Swimming I understand alot more anglos, as much as there is plenty of water around many ethnic background roots how often doe we see a euro background champ over the years.
Water polo over there yes full on - seems laps are not a drive over there ie cro/italian/serb you name it barring the exceptions.
Wonder why not as many ethnic girls/women are in the Tildas compared to the roots of the Roos past to present.
Being around the grounds I see many ethnic girls playing though.
Hows this triva re USA, how many indigenous/coloured swimming champs are there ? yet in athletics they are brilliant and other team sports.

I'm glad I never watch these morning show jerk offs but I can picture their behaviour and like they know them all so well and the game ffs.
Sickenning.
Nah it wouldn't be much diff imo if many more ethnic names etc, womens football growth, Tildas, you name anything female topic wise of achievements, granted brilliant time they got in lights - is the flavour of the times.
Suppose it was coming sooner or later.

I agree to some extent- it is all Anglo names in the Matildas now that they have got rid of Chidiac.

Remember how the morning show types used to make a show of stumbling over non Anglo names.

Australian cricket is similar with its predominance of anglo names.

Another thing about the Matildas is that because the same players compete for both the world cup and the olympics, they rack up hundreds of caps and are constantly in the public eye... the socceroos not so much because the best players can't compete in the olympics.

Not for me or anyone I associate with. We don't care what the surname is as long as they try their best to represent Australia.

Also socceroos aren't the same standard as the Matildas and we're playing Bangladesh it's not the same 

The anglo centric angle is a factor certainly from the media, I also won’t forget I think it was Malcolm Turnbull who was the PM during that time called Mile Jedinak Mike Jedinak when we qualified for the 2018 World Cup.

However it’s a shame the Olyroos didn’t qualify but I have a feeling they would not got close to the same attention the Matilda’s are getting.

The Olyroos appear to be more diverse than the Matilda’s side though which is interesting but no where near as popular as them.

MCG, comparing both our NT's is apples and pears.
All due respect to the WNT sides there isn't anywhere near as competitive long list for now compared to the MNT's.
Not that the general public have a clue mind you.

Yer I think surnames for the women will be a generational thing, in time heap more ethnic/african etc names will come to be.
Plus yes I have no care of the surname as long as they put in for the shirt.

Nah, they’re just jumping on the bandwagon.

Personally I don't think the ethnic surnames (or lack there of) makes much difference. Maybe it did a while ago, but I don't think it matters anymore or it is only a minor thing. Definitely an interesting conversation though. Why do the women seem more popular in the mainstream media when compared to the blokes? I reckon the branding has to have something to do with it. We probably take it for granted but the name 'Matildas' is a genuinely excellent bit of branding. It's only one word, but it manages to clearly represent Australia (for us anyway) as well as clearly representing women, albeit doesn't mention the sport at all (which is probably a good thing). It definitely resonates with the people. Socceroos on the other hand is a hacky corny name. Not only does it use the word 'soccer' which the mainstream media hate, it also is two words mashed together in a lazy way. We as football fans have become accustomed to it but it really is a terrible name.

I don't think it's the opposition, The Matildas were huge when playing Uzbekistan. The Socceroos arent of the same standard, although the interesting thing is The Matildas record against the best teams in the world probably isnt that much better than the mens. 1 win in 33 all time v USA. 2 out of 16 v Sweden, 1 in 5 v Germany. Womens football just had no depth at all all this time, that is rapidly changing. Probably won't be higher than the mens for much longer. 

I'd hazard a guess that Conservative cultures families are less likely to encourage their daughters to get involved with Womens sport culture and it's prevalent leanings

Can you define these ‘ prevalent leanings’?

The thread annoys me no end... talk about pulling hairs out of your arse... sounds like News limited journalist looking for an angle....

The driver behind their rise is far more to do with feminism and how they have lead a fight over years from nude photos, to cake stands, to going on strike... How they stood up for their rights and demanded to be respected.... for their Football... The ABC women have also used them to push their causes as well... My sister not the least bit interested in any sport, she jumped on their bandwagon and knew all the stories.. 

Further the rise and acceptance of female sport in general... they have lead the way ....

JJ, when he made with Disney that doco about them prior to the WC was a stroke of pure genius, further how he has played his hand ever since is nice to see a capable person in charge for once. Today Stan have a doco on them.

Is it hard to simply accept for once and maybe the only time ever.... the guy in charge read the room perfectly and built a brand out of almost nothing... rather than look to O its because they have blonde hair... 

 

there's your "sling" tsf lol......

Middy its only a discussion no more no less and quite civil.

Don't think anyone has Murdochs on their minds but you lost me quoting the ABC.

An interesting question you've posited.

A little from column A, a bit from column B are my first thoughts.

They were all over channel 9 last night and they don't even cover the football.

I reckon the fact they're way more successful than the men and play in the best leagues would have a lot to do with it.

If 90% of the socceroos played in the EPL I'm pretty sure they'd be in the paper every other day.

Look at how much coverage Ange gets and he's just a manager.


On another tack I'm surprised to be honest that the right side of politics hasn't gone hard at them, most of them anyway, for being in same-sex relationships..

I feel like we are of late following americas football trajectory on a few year delay

We start a franchise league a few years after the mls
We start a nst a few years after they start their lower divisions
We now have a womans team break into mainstream appeal a few years later than they do

But that match against Uzbekistan is to get into the Olympics the match against Bangladesh is a dead rubber only the hardcore fans will watch it 

Womens and Mens Football are different in so many ways, any comparisons are pointless

Surprised no one has said 'ItS aLl pARt of tHe WOKE AGENDA the fAr LefT aRe tRYiNg to PusH dowN oUr ThroAts'

Where's Enzo or Rusty?

Malcolm TRUMBLE thank you.

Actually it was Tony Abbott

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's down to these factors:

It's women - there's been a whole push for equality, etc recently (sometimes a bit OTT, but that's for another discussion), and due to the relative success of the Australian team, that's brought that even more to the forefront.

Secondly, the fact that the Matildas compete in the Olympics also helps. Australians tend to value Olympics above a lot of things.

No. Trump called Turnbull 'Trumble'.

Ever since then I've always referred to Turnbull as Trumble. 

Just like Melbourne is now 'Melby'.

'When your whole life is accustomed to privilege,  equality feels like oppression.'

I think it is as simple as Australia is still a sporting nation.

We get out for a grand final in numbers far exceeding those who would go to a normal game. We turn up in pink to the McGrath Foundation in the cricket.

The numbers we are getting and the coverage they are getting is because they are seen as winners and as winners from the common person. For football it is a bonus overall because our country that has been starved of a flagship in our sport for sometime now.

The fact that women's football has benefited from the attention and coverage is a massive bonus, and it is entirely warranted when you look at the kids getting behind the Matildas. Michelle Heyman got swarmed at the fence in the last game of the season here at Perry Park - all with jerseys and balls to be signed by wide eyed, thrilled followers - and she stayed with them until she had gone through the lot.

Fantastic that being winners in the public eye also carries with it the tag of credibility.

The names and ethnicity are nothing to do with it as far as I am concerned. As far as the blonde, anglo sports stars go - look at anyone or any team who was a star for Australia on the world stage and you will find they get the attention and we proudly call them 'us' regardless of name or ethnicity.

Despite what I said think you got it covered RIMB.

I had lunch with an ex work colleague & she said she watched the Matildas & never misses a game, she has an Asian background.
My wife's colleagues, mainly Asian all loves the Matildas & attends games when possible.
My dear old Dad, pushing 90 years old, rings me up & asks what channel are the Matildas on every time.
My daughter, never into any watching of sport (much to my distain) loves the Matldas.
My women's team I coach (18 players) all love the Matildas & 7 of them on there on Monday night with their families.

The Matildas has captured the imagination of the nation, maybe not diehard fans, but long may it last & not critique it.

You know what I don't get Racist people.

How do these people live without listening to rap or watching a Denzel movie bet they never seen Seinfeld. 

Like what's the point of hating other cultures if you can't go to mad Mex and eat a burrito. 

cool, well f uck off and let the adults discuss it then.

agree with these two as factors atm too