Meaning behind Australia Women's football team nickname 'The Matildas'

16 August 2023 , 08:00

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Meaning behind Australia Women's football team nickname 'The Matildas'

Australia face an historic semi-final over England on Wednesday morning for a place in the Women's World Cup final against Spain on Sunday, August 20.

Australia has never been a 'football country', with cricket their big sport - but when the Matildas arrived on the scene - the Aussies have gone gold and green crazy. But why are the Australian Women's football team called the Matildas?

There were actually five nicknames lined up for the women's national team, before it was settled on 'Matildas' eight years ago. We take a look back at the history behind the nickname.

In 1994, the Australian Women's National Football team qualified for their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup - which was taking place in Sweden in 1995.

During the time of qualification, the team was always referred to as 'the Female Socceroos', and featured in the matchday programme for their 1994 friendly against Colombia.

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After the match, SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) joined forced with the Australian Women's Soccer Association (AWSA) and decided to run a viewer competition to find a nickname for the Women's National Team.

The shortlist included:

• Soccertoos
• Blue Flyers
• Waratahs
• Matildas
• Lorikeets

Following the competition, it was then decided the Australian Women's National football team would be nicknamed - The Matildas, which has been used to this day.

Australia take on England at 11am BST with coverage in our live blog.

Laura Hartley