As the new year unfolds and footy seasons begin, International Women's Day (IWD) approaches yet again, prompting me to reflect on the discussions surrounding women's sports.
Thoughts arise about whether we've exhausted this topic; hasn't there been enough dialogue highlighting advancements in women's sports? The answer is both affirmative and negative.
Like many, I spend quiet moments scrolling through Instagram and TikTok, typically encountering sports highlights and humorous sketches. However, my feed occasionally presents "anti-woke" videos and content that disparages women, accompanied by disturbing comments that often feel threatening to female athletes.
The United States women's hockey team experienced undeserved disrespect as President Donald Trump made inappropriate remarks following their Winter Olympics gold medal win, while lauding the men's team.
In a world increasingly marked by division, such videos underscore IWD's importance. This year's theme, "Balance the scales," emphasizes the long journey ahead towards creating a fairer and safer sporting environment for women.
Over the past decade, women's sports in Australia have seen remarkable growth, transitioning from amateur to semi-professional, with a few leagues achieving full professional status.
While we celebrate milestones and the relentless efforts of women who have driven progress, the reality is that much remains to be accomplished.
During the Matildas' recent match against South Korea at Accor Stadium, a lively crowd of 60,200 witnessed a thrilling 3-3 draw, reaffirming their progress into the knockout rounds.
Although the AFC Asian Cup committee rightly celebrated this record attendance, I can't help but feel that Football Australia missed an opportunity for a special IWD event, similar to Cricket Australia's notable invitation to Katy Perry during the T20 World Cup final.
Despite strong attendance for the Matildas, it's evident that Football Australia has not fully embraced their growth since the team's impressive World Cup performance nearly three years ago.
The discussion is hardly new, especially following critiques of FA's initiatives since that tournament. The internal Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) report on A-League Women last year delivered particularly harsh insights.