The former female captain of Australia, Julie Dolan, condemned the decision to recognize a 1975 team as the nation’s first women’s team, calling the move a farce and a mockery of the team. The team Dolan captained that played against New Zealand in 1979 was once recognized as Australia’s first international women’s football team.
However, that was until this Monday, when the governing body Football Australia (FA) announced that the 1975 team that played in an Asian Women’s Football Confederation tournament in Hong Kong would now be known as the ‘first Matildas’.
That group, led by Pat O’Connor and with 14-year-old Dolan, who wore Australia’s colors and coat of arms at the tournament in Hong Kong, but was narrowly selected from a Sydney club, St George Budapest.
The FA recognized the 1975 team as “historically significant” two years ago, although it said it did not meet the criteria to be considered a senior national team. “I want to emphasize that there are no tryouts and women from interstate clubs, or any clubs, are not invited to try out for this tournament,” Dolan, 63, said in a statement. “To hear that the FA now recognize this team as the ‘first Matildas’ makes a mockery of the selection process for a national team and is nothing but a farce,” added the former centre-back.
The 1975 team gained national attention last year when some of its players were involved in an ambush marketing campaign by sportswear giant Puma in the run-up to the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia.
The FA said on Monday that the team’s recognition came after a thorough review, in which historians and outside experts were consulted. “This recognition is long overdue and a testament to the pioneering spirit of women who have paved the way for future generations of Australian footballers,” said FA President Anter Isaac.
The FA said O’Connor was now recognized as the first Australian captain, while her husband Joe O’Connor, coach of the 1975 team, was Australia’s first women’s coach.
Aunty Tarita Yvonne Peters, formerly known as Stacey Tracy, is now recognized as the first Indigenous Australian player in the women’s national team. “I am extremely honored and excited by the FA’s decision to recognize our 1975 team in official international matches,” said Pat O’Connor. “This recognition of being the ‘first Matildas’ not only celebrates our efforts and dedication, but also cements our place in Australian football history as the pioneers of women’s football.”
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
