Local football clubs around the country are gearing up for the kick off of the Fifa Women's World Cup tonight.
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00:00 You played football, you had a dream of playing for the Matildas.
00:05 That dream didn't happen but you've achieved so much else.
00:09 But tell me about football and what it means to you.
00:12 Well, you know, as you mentioned, I had once a dream to be part of the Matilda team and
00:17 that didn't work out.
00:18 But that allowed me to go above and beyond, and particularly around the issues of gender
00:24 equity.
00:25 I came from a cultural background where women were not allowed to, were not encouraged to
00:29 play sport, and especially football.
00:33 And I took it upon myself to become an advocate, to make sure that when it comes to issues
00:38 of football that I am advocating beyond the sporting field.
00:43 And to me particularly, it's really important because events like the FIFA are significant
00:48 events where we need to shine light by some of the issues that women might be facing in
00:53 the community.
00:54 And I think, you know, for the World Cup to be here, this is an opportunity to really
00:59 talk about the issues that I have faced when I was young and why they have put a limitation
01:05 on me.
01:06 And we don't want any young women to face those barriers ever again.
01:10 And this is the fascinating thing because with women's football, it's always been associated
01:14 so closely with some sort of social justice campaign.
01:18 People are always waving a banner or a flag or calling for something to change.
01:22 And we're seeing an introduction of eight new teams here this time around, making their
01:27 debut for regions that we don't normally hear from.
01:31 How important is that?
01:32 How important is the message that a Women's World Cup sends to everywhere in the world?
01:37 And let's not forget the trials and tribulations Afghanistan has been through recently, and
01:42 that sport has now been banned again for women.
01:46 But can events like this help change those situations?
01:49 It can definitely change, particularly, I mean, look at me being involved with you,
01:55 with ABC.
01:56 We are the young women, like the Afghani women, young girls that have arrived here early last
02:02 year.
02:03 They are part of the community.
02:04 They are working on a grassroots level.
02:07 And so when we have immediate attention spreading the good work of football, it is us and it
02:13 is up to those young women to go into the communities and reach the regional areas where
02:17 they often don't get the attention about the sport.
02:20 And so it's definitely important that we are here to spread the word.
02:25 And then we need fans.
02:28 We need people to go out there into the community and tell them what's going on.
02:32 Australia or Ireland?
02:34 Oh, you know what?
02:36 Of course Australia.
02:37 But I think they're going to give us a good game.
02:40 We saw the Matildas when they played against France for the friendly games the other day,
02:44 and they did a fantastic job.
02:46 They can control the ball and hold that position.
02:49 At least 85 per cent, I think we've got a good chance.
02:53 And of course the opening game really is not here.
02:55 It's in New Zealand.
02:56 It's in Auckland.
02:57 And it is the New Zealand Football Ferns up against Norway.
03:00 Yeah, well, you know what?
03:02 I also want New Zealand to win.
03:04 I mean, they're just next door to us.
03:06 Of course, we've got to give them a chance.
03:08 I think Norway is pretty good.
03:11 But we want the win to come home.
03:13 [BLANK_AUDIO]