The Australian Professional Leagues is pushing for government funding of more than $12 million to help the A-League Women capitalise on the Matildas’ magical Women’s World Cup run.
The APL’s submission aims for $10.2 million of investment from the league and clubs to be matched by $12.2 million from the federal government.
Australian Professional Leagues are hoping to attract greater funding, sponsors and crowds to A-League Women on the back of the Matildas’ success. Getty
Plans include expansion of the ALW, signing Matildas marquee players, boosting broadcast deals and putting on major events including all-star games.
There is also a push for a professional development fund and creating pathways for female coaches, along with greater engagement with community football.
“We’re not asking for outlandish things,” APL chief executive Danny Townsend said.
“There’s commitments to a stadium in Tasmania for AFL to the tune of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.
“We’re not asking for anywhere near that to shore up the future of the biggest participation sport in the country that is enjoying a moment in the sun on the global stage like no other for women’s sport in its history.
“Our ask is genuine, it’s authentic in the way we’ve gone about it. And the feedback we’ve got from the politicians is everything in that submission makes perfect sense and should be delivered as part of this legacy.
“But that commitment is something we haven’t had confirmed to this point.”
Townsend said the league’s absence from promised funding to date was a “glaring omission”.
“It should be concerning to all those people that are supporting the Matildas,” he said.
“Because every one of those Matildas has come through the development pathway that
Read more on afr.com