The Beautiful Game

They call football (soccer) the beautiful game. It has the ability to bring communities together through fanhood, to unite a Nation, and for stereotypes to be smashed.

The Matildas' success at the?FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023? has done exactly that! What an incredible story and one which will greatly impact on both Australia's sporting and cultural landscape for years to come!

The team's achievements are an inspiration for the next generation of all genders and are a timely reminder of one of the many benefits of diversity and inclusion.

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Despite missing their global superstar Sam Kerr for earlier parts of the tournament, the Matildas' have shown us how important a supportive, collaborative environment is in all areas of life. Whether it’s within a sporting team, or in our families, our teams at work or in projects, each team member brings something unique to the team!

So let's celebrate that unique diversity of thought and work together for better outcomes.

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Anyone remember the loss to Nigeria? Or the penalty misses? And of course the heartbreak of the semi-final loss to England, which will be felt for some time to come.

It also wasn't that long ago that matches were played in front of crowds less than a few hundred with very little funding.

Despite these various setbacks, the immense resilience, perseverance and that ‘never give up’ attitude has been essential in seeing them create history in what has been Australia’s most successful World Cup (both men’s and women’s).

I think there’s a lot we can all learn from this!

?????? ?????? ????????:?the Matildas' match against England was also officially the most watched Australian TV program since 2001 (when the existing rating system was established), and the biggest streaming event in Australian history!

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Over the past few weeks we’ve been lucky enough to watch a host of extremely talented women from diverse backgrounds not only play on the elite stage, but also with world class referees, officials and commentators. The benefits of seeing this in the public eye cannot be understated.

As a child growing up in Australia, from a background of cultural marginalisation, for me there were always an endless array of male sporting and cultural icons that graced our shores, and the success that followed was on the back of many idolising those heroes. However there were very few role models such as a Sam Kerr, Hayley Raso, Mackenzie Arnold or Mary Fowler, and no doubt the visibility of seeing these amazing role models crucial for future generations to come.

Change takes action, and visibility is key. And for the millions of Aussie fans who have been captivated and inspired, and for the millions watching around the world, the visibility of their achievements will reverberate long beyond this tournament.

Thank you Matildas' for showing us that anything is possible. Watch this space…

#Matildas?#diversity?#teamwork