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There are more women and girls wanting to get involved, and the athletes at the top of their game are having a powerful effect on the way that sport is being perceived.
Right now, the playbook is being rewritten in Australian sport. More and more women participating as players, coaches, officials, board members and of course, as fans.
Here are a few telling stats: At the 2024 Paris Olympics, women took home 12 of Australia's 18 Gold Medals. On social media, female athletes have 14% more followers than their male counterparts. Plus, the Matildas' semi-final clash against England in the FIFA Women's World Cup has become the most-watched television event in Australian history. At its peak, a staggering 11.15 million viewers tuned in, as football fever swept the nation.
What's more, on every other sporting metric, things are also changing quickly. Okay, not as fast as an Ash Barty forehand, but fast.
There is enormous interest from the Australian public to watch women's sport. There are more women and girls wanting to get involved, and the athletes at the top of their game are having a powerful effect on the way that sport is being perceived.
Any way you like to move
Good health, and having fun are key motivators. It's also interesting to note the steady rise of non-competitive sport. More and more women are choosing activities like Yoga, Pilates, swimming and running for their daily routine. A brisk walk to Saturday Pilates and coffee after? Sounds like a cracking start to the weekend.
Women lead the way
Leadership is critical. In 2019, women comprised 24% of CEOs across 63 national sporting organisations (NSOs), and 15% of high-performance coaches. When more women are active in leadership roles, it paves the way to bring even more women onto the team*.
The Women's Big Bash (WBBL) and the Women's Australian Rules Football league (AFLW) are great examples of platforms that have attracted a huge following.
The Matilda's Effect
The Matildas have ignited a revolution in women's football, inspiring a new generation of players across Australia. Their record-breaking performances and undeniable grit have shattered stereotypes, proving that women's football is not just worth watching—it's worth playing. Since their World Cup run, grassroots participation among girls has surged, with clubs across the country reporting a boom in registrations. Young athletes now see a clear pathway to professional football, driven by role models who have shown that the world stage is theirs to conquer. The Matildas aren't just making history—they're changing the future of the game.
Benefits of being active
Female participation in Australian sports has been steadily increasing, and it's bringing a lot of benefits with it. Being active empowers, strengthens, fosters teamwork, promotes confidence, improves health, enhances mental well-being, cultivates leadership, encourages resilience and celebrates diversity. Boom!
Not only are more women getting involved, but they're also excelling at them. This is leading to a more diverse and inclusive sports industry, as well as inspiring other women to take up physical activities. It's also creating opportunities for better representation of female athletes in media coverage and marketing campaigns. With increased female participation in sports, we can expect to see even more benefits come our way!
So get out there and have fun, however you like to move.
* Source: AusPlay survey. A large-scale national population tracking survey funded and led by Sport Australia.