The show must go on

The fans have gone home, the confetti cleared away, the trophy dispatched to a new home and the curtain drawn on Season Four of the Westfield W-League.

The Championship decider was a fitting finale. Supporters at a sold-out McKellar Park full of signs and songs, were rewarded with a five-goal thriller as perennial bridesmaids Canberra finally captured the crown.

The excitement continued as pictures of the grand final featured in news bulletins around the country, the twittersphere remained alight with support for the women’s game and even the newspapers managed more than 100 words.

ABC Television recorded its largest audience of the season, Canberra United their biggest crowd and it was for female football the best ever advertisement.

So what happens now?

It’s critical that the momentum gained during a season is not lost, and maintaining a profile in a long break is no mean feat.

Registration is underway for the new club season at amateur level and the fastest growing women’s sport in Australia is set to post its highest enrolment figures yet.

The days of girls having to play in boys teams just to get a game are well on the way to becoming a memory.

The W-League delivered a pathway for girls to make, if not yet a living playing football, then at least a future as an elite player.

As a result, more Australian women than ever before have been snapped up by overseas clubs, with players headed to England, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and the USA.

But how can we make sure the waves the girls make overseas create much more than just a ripple back home before any given W-League season kicks off again?

In the men’s game, the Asian Champions League is slowly gaining traction here and keeps the interest for fans alive past the final whistle of the domestic season.

While it’s not a quick fix, (and realistically some way off) at some stage an Asian Women’s Champions League must be considered.

For "traditional" football countries overseas, this competition has been a natural progression with both UEFA and CONMEBOL embracing the women’s version of the Champions League.

However, given the logistical and financial hurdles that must first be overcome for such a competition, perhaps an interim measure would be to approach Japan and South Korea who have already established the Japan and South Korea Women’s League Championship.

This was instigated two years ago with a view to expanding to an Asian Champions League. Geographically Australia is well placed to take part and as it takes place in March, it fits into the post W-League void on the calendar.

Imagine McKellar Park, sold out once more, hosting Japanese Champions INAC Leonessa, a side that contains no less than seven World Cup-winning players – what an advertisement for Canberra United and the Capital.

A just reward for the team that lifts the trophy and a panacea for those of us who just want the show to go on.

 
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Comments (8)
 
As the bulk of ordinary folk in this country think they aren't racist, alcohol-dependent, emotionally impotent, materialistic, xenophobic, homophobic and nepotistic then they also think they aren't sexist. When the majority of a country's population believe that the mainstream newspapers like the telegraphs and heralds and TV channels 7, 9 & 10 speak the gospel truth, then what hope has men's football - let alone women's. This is not Europe - It is a land of mostly cashed-up-bogans. True football culture hasn't evolved here yet - despite the valiant attempts by many foresightful pioneers. Let's NEVER give up though. Neanderthals mated with a few modern humans but essentially and eventually died out....:)
Vapourised  |  
7 Feb 2012 01:32 AM
 
 
FIFI sounds like some demented eggball tragic who is fearful of football attracting some of their fans - if money is being wasted its on the overpaid hoofers in the A League -
Glenda  |  
2 Feb 2012 10:05 AM
 
 
I am a female football fan and I am sick of watching this second rate rubbish. Men's football is faster and more skillful. If Jasper's point was that we don't have the luxury to fund the women's game, however noble the cause, if the men's game doesn't survive through lack if funding then we are all dead. Get the primary product right first
Fifi  |  
1 Feb 2012 08:41 PM
 
 
And here is an idea for Jasper which i hope is not too confronting for him --- HOW ABOUT SUBMITTING SOMETHING THAT IS COHERANT
Mrs 'Obbs  |  
1 Feb 2012 06:48 PM
 
 
Here's an idea, Steph.....hold on, it may be a bit confronting for you... HOW ABOUT MAKING THE LEAGUE COMMERCIALLY VIABLE INSTEAD OF DRAINING THE LIMITED RESOURCES THAT FOOTBALL HAS IN THIS OUNTRY AND SIPHONING INTO A SPORT WHICH GETS LESS INTEREST THAN MIXED FRISBEE??? Talk about killing the golden goose.......
Jasper  |  
1 Feb 2012 10:51 AM
 
 
The development in womens football in Australian Regional communities could look firstly at their local facilities with a willingness of communities to look at the whole family unit of Football where mums , dads, daughters and sons to look at proactive strategies to change and dvelop from a bottom up and top down joint approach from the FFA , state stakeholders, local government and associations by being more ambitious with change. This is using the momentum and benefit of the sports size to expedite change all aspects of the sports impacts in society. womens football can benefit by shared strategies with other tiers of Football and sport. In the future womens football at schools , clubs, coach and administration can continue to work with the male counterparts in the sport.
Tony Thorpe  |  
1 Feb 2012 10:25 AM
 
 
It was a sensational match and how good is the future for Australian football? The gals played it with such good technique and style - a sold out crowd on hand all bodes well for Australian Football for our quest to be successful on the world stage
QsAF  |  
31 Jan 2012 02:04 PM
 
 
Let the Ladies show the men the way and be the first to establish a second team in Sydney - based in the West
Homerule1  |  
31 Jan 2012 01:58 PM