Female participation explodes in AFL, soccer and cricket
Football, soccer and cricket are three of Australia's most popular sports, and until recently almost exclusively played by men. The number of female players in these sports has exploded in Australia over the last decade. And they are bringing their own fan base with them.
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00:00 These girls are taking on the boys and kicking goals.
00:07 I feel very happy because when you win you have this burst of enjoyment inside.
00:17 My favourite thing about soccer is playing with my friends and participating.
00:23 That you get to spend time with your friends and you get to have fun.
00:27 They're some of a growing number of females participating in traditionally male sports across Australia.
00:33 It's being called the Matilda's Effect, triggered by the success of Australia at the Women's World Cup.
00:38 With a whole new audience exposed to the game, the sport is looking to capitalise on the popularity and it begins at the grassroots.
00:46 All these kids here have been talking about the World Cup, they collect the cards, it's been crazy.
00:53 But it's not just the round ball that's having a moment.
00:56 Women's sport is on the rise. 35% of all Australian women and girls play sport.
01:03 That's more than 9 million females.
01:05 The growth most dominant in Aussie rules, where one in every five players are now female.
01:11 And the Northern Territory has the highest rate per capita for participation, with girls making up 38% of all registered players.
01:19 You can even see that through AFLW and other state leagues that it is building and the standard is getting a lot better.
01:26 Which is exciting to see and be a part of modelling that to the junior generations.
01:31 So exciting, especially for the girls that are coming through and the pathways that are being created for them is absolutely incredible.
01:36 Nobody is better than us on that field. Nobody. OK?
01:39 Linda Taylor has seen the change first hand. She was part of the first women's competition in the Northern Territory.
01:46 We were chucked around on a few different ovals and straight after a game of touch you'd play footy.
01:51 But it's what we wanted to do. And the growth now is obviously worthwhile for what sacrifices we did do.
01:57 From playing to coaching, she knows the impact the sport is having on girls' lives.
02:02 One, two, three, boys!
02:04 The young girls in our future is looking very bright.
02:07 I just think that they need someone to have that will and want for them and then help them along the way.
02:12 Increased media coverage has shown a whole new generation of girls there are professional pathways in sport.
02:18 And while the wages have begun to reflect the growing support, the numbers show there's still a long way to go.
02:24 I think they should encourage every girl that you can follow your dreams and don't give up.
02:29 The glass ceiling may be broken, but the push for parity continues.
02:33 [BLANK_AUDIO]