Matildas being paid a quarter of average wage

[SwandelPark]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/mati ... gwkns.html

If success is often said to be the best form of revenge, then the Matildas are hoping it may also be a catalyst for change as Australia's national women's team is out to impress on the world stage to end financial hardships placed on female footballers.

As they prepare for one of the toughest-ever assignments for any Australian team at a FIFA World Cup, the Matildas' ambition to succeed is just as much about honour as it is about a cause - to attract public interest, support and sponsorship that will raise the incredibly low wages in female sport.

In Canada next month, the Matildas will stake their biggest claim yet for a more deserving pay rate that may finally lead to Australia having its first full-time professional female footballer. Their plan is simple; to succeed against all odds, which is a fitting mantra from 23 players on contracts worth almost a quarter of the national average salary.

The low pay forces every player to subsidise earnings with work outside of football, including 2014 female Asian player of the year, Katrina Gorry. She was Australia's most honoured footballer last year in terms of individual awards but works up to eight hours a day at a cafe in Brisbane, while studying a diploma of business in between playing W-League and international football.

She regards participation at the 2015 World Cup as an opportunity for the Matildas to not only achieve an upset result by qualifying out of their group, but also to attract more interest, support and sponsorship through their performances.

"I don't think the world knows what we've put into our overall life, how many jobs people have while playing soccer and studying on the side," she said. "Hopefully in the near future, the younger generations won't have to do what we're doing at the moment and we can get more sponsorships and support in the game."

Despite being drawn in the group of death, the Matildas are hoping to not only qualify from that group but progress to the latter stages of the tournament. In doing so, the players want to showcase their talent to the world and show why they deserve better employment conditions.

"Sacrifice" is the recurring theme in women's football as players have to balance the demands of professional football with a financial lifestyle often reserved for university students. For those fortunate enough to be on full-time contracts with Football Federation of Australia, they will earn $21,000 this year with additional $500 payments for each international match they play. Others rely on daily pay rates for national team duty, match fees and other non-football related sources of income.

The Matildas have been working tirelessly in preparation for their World Cup group matches against two-time world champions the US, 2003 runners-up Sweden and African champions Nigeria, but have been unable to supplement their income since January when they joined the national team camp.

If anything, most players have found themselves to be in a worse financial state as a result of call-ups, as they have been unable to work outside of football since the start of the year while still covering either rent, mortgages or other living expenses.

"Most of the girls are trying to just get by and I know the troubles they go through, and that's why we lose so many older players at young ages because they just can't financially cope any more," Gorry said. "But, to put on that jersey on June the eighth, I can't even imagine what will be going through my head. It will make it all worth it."

[billy the kid]

On the cusp of season 2019/2020 has there been an improvement on what the players are receiving at AUFC-W. I heard towards the end of last AUFC-C that the players were going to get a minimum of $13,000 for this season. If it does happen it'll be long overdue. The last 3 seasons have steady improvements in the pay to the local players.

[paul merson]

I understand there position, we being paid a lot less back in the NSL days, training in lunch breaks, going back to work to then go back for an evening session. Using annual leave days for away games, working all day before Friday night home games.
Our base wage was less than an NPL clubs.

Increasing the pay isn’t so much the issue in W league in my opinion, it’s extending the season, it’s almost an off season carnival for overseas players.
More rounds for W league, then increased training in the WNPL, players going back to WNPL & spending most of the year training twice a week is enough to increase the standard of Australian women’s football.

[Lucas Leiva]

New minimum is $16,500.

$12,000 is funded by the collective TV deal.

So clubs are obliged to fund a minimum of $4,500 per player. At a squad of 20, that's less than a $100k that's needed at a minimum.

[Lucas Leiva]

More rounds for W league, then increased training in the WNPL, players going back to WNPL & spending most of the year training twice a week is enough to increase the standard of Australian women’s football.

Is or isn't? Because if it's "isn't" then I agree, however many hurdles to jump for the clubs that need access to facilities for a third session, coaches for a third session, even players shifting work for a third session, etc.

[paul merson]

More rounds for W league, then increased training in the WNPL, players going back to WNPL & spending most of the year training twice a week is enough to increase the standard of Australian women’s football.

Is or isn't? Because if it's "isn't" then I agree, however many hurdles to jump for the clubs that need access to facilities for a third session, coaches for a third session, even players shifting work for a third session, etc.

Yeh sorry LL I meant isnt.

[Brian the Postman]

New minimum is $16,500.

$12,000 is funded by the collective TV deal.

So clubs are obliged to fund a minimum of $4,500 per player. At a squad of 20, that's less than a $100k that's needed at a minimum.

Would the women’s team even generate $100k of turnover? Let alone profit?

[Lucas Leiva]

New minimum is $16,500.

$12,000 is funded by the collective TV deal.

So clubs are obliged to fund a minimum of $4,500 per player. At a squad of 20, that's less than a $100k that's needed at a minimum.

Would the women’s team even generate $100k of turnover? Let alone profit?

Are you insinuating that football clubs only run on the basis they profit?!

That's a very banal way of looking at. Let's compare apples with apples then shall we...

Men's matchday facility: $55k per game
Women's matchday facility: $6k per game (11% of the Mens cost)

Men's TV deal share: $3.3m (in 2017 under current deal)
Women's TV deal share: $250k (7.5% of the Mens deal)

Home fixtures (opportunities to engage fans and make money):
Men: 13 in 2019/20
Women: 6 in 2019/20

Away fixtures (which include travel costs):
Men: 13 in 2019/20
Women: 6 in 2019/20

[Brian the Postman]

New minimum is $16,500.

$12,000 is funded by the collective TV deal.

So clubs are obliged to fund a minimum of $4,500 per player. At a squad of 20, that's less than a $100k that's needed at a minimum.

Would the women’s team even generate $100k of turnover? Let alone profit?

Are you insinuating that football clubs only run on the basis they profit?!

That's a very banal way of looking at. Let's compare apples with apples then shall we...

Men's matchday facility: $55k per game
Women's matchday facility: $6k per game (11% of the Mens cost)

Men's TV deal share: $3.3m (in 2017 under current deal)
Women's TV deal share: $250k (7.5% of the Mens deal)

Home fixtures (opportunities to engage fans and make money):
Men: 13 in 2019/20
Women: 6 in 2019/20

Away fixtures (which include travel costs):
Men: 13 in 2019/20
Women: 6 in 2019/20

So would they in your opinion turnover at least $100k?

[Lucas Leiva]

So would they in your opinion turnover at least $100k?

In my opinion, yes.

[Michael]

20,000 for a friendly against Chile?

McCormick made an excellent debut for the Aussies!

[In the way]

20,000 for a friendly against Chile?

McCormick made an excellent debut for the Aussies!

+1
Wembley had over 70,000 for the women's match between England and Germany, also a friendly.

other sports would be happy to get that in a game for points.