“After the World Cup,what I saw[shows] it’s been there all along,I think it just needed this little tip over the edge. To sort of let it explode.”
With many Matildas playing in powerhouse teams across Europe – including Caitlin Foord and recent signing Kyra Cooney-Cross alongside her at Arsenal – multiple Aussies nominated for the Ballon d’Or and Ange Postecoglou the manager of Tottenham in the Premier League,Catley says “good things are happening in Australian football,that’s for sure.”
The world is paying attention to the nation’s talent,and Catley is hoping increased attention generated for women’s football in Australia by the World Cup will translate to more eyes on the Women’s Super League and the careers of herself and the other Matildas playing in the English comp.
Loading
To her,that’s an important part of maintaining the sport’s momentum,along with Matildas’ matches and big tournaments.
The Matildas have already had to move one of their three Olympic Asian qualifier matches in Perth next month from HBF Park to the much larger Optus Stadium,which seats 60,000 people because of demand for tickets.
Catley said it was obvious after the excitement of the World Cup died down that a new army of fans had been drawn to women’s football.