Photo: Football Australia
Like millions of others, I have been captivated by the Women’s World Cup over the past few weeks. I knew the World Cup would be good, and I knew it would inspire my young daughters to love football even more than they already did.
As soon as tickets went on sale last year, we bought a pack of Sydney games so we could share this moment with our three daughters. We were thrilled to be at the first Matildas game against Ireland. We also watched the Germany vs Colombia and the Netherlands vs South Africa games which were just as memorable and action packed.
I never expected it would captivate the nation like it has. I didn’t expect it to be the most watched TV show this year. I didn’t expect everyone to be talking about it. When I wear my Matildas shirt, strangers will smile and make a comment about the next game. It’s awesome!
I also didn’t expect to learn so much about myself as a person and a business owner. I don’t think I’m alone. Whether you’re four or 84, I think we’ve all learnt a thing or two from this World Cup. Here are some lessons I’ve learnt which will help me both in business and life.
Lesson: Teamwork makes the dream work
There’s been a lot of talk about certain star players like Sam Kerr. But as we saw in the group stages of Matilda’s campaign, winning is about a great team, not an individual player. The team was disappointed that their captain was out injured, but they worked together to get the job done.
It just shows how important a supportive, collaborative environment is in all areas of life. Whether it’s our families, our teams at work or in projects, or any sporting teams we’re in. Each team member brings something unique to the table. We need to celebrate that uniqueness and work together to get better outcomes.
Lesson: Be confident but not cocky
When the USA and Sweden played in the round of 16 playoff, they got through extra time and ended up in the do or die penalty shoot out. As each person walked out to take their shot, I could predict who was going to get a goal based on the expression on their face.
The ones who looked meek or scared – they’d miss.
The ones who looked cocky or arrogant would also miss.
It was the women who looked confident and calm who would net the goal each time.
Life lesson right there – you need to back yourself to be successful.
Lesson: Don’t get bogged down by failure
Remember a few weeks ago when the Matildas lost against Nigeria? There was so much talk about how they’re about to be knocked out from the World Cup, how embarrassing that would be. But then they beat Canada in a resounding 4-0 victory and have just beat Denmark 2-0 in the first knockout stage.
The Matildas didn’t let that loss define them. They stood up, brushed themselves off and went on to prove how good they are. We can all learn from that.
Lesson: See the person first
One thing that has struck me about this tournament is the acts of kindness. On the field they’re competitors, off the field they’re friends.
There are so many examples – Matildas comforting the Danish players after they were knocked out and the English player Chloe Kelly who shielded the Nigerian goal keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie trom the cameras after they were knocked out.
Whether in business or in life, we should always see the person first.
Lesson: Diversity matters
We’ve been watching women not only play the game brilliantly but also referee and commentate. This is beyond important not just for children but for everyone to see. As a child, I didn’t have any female sporting role models but now our kids chat about Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter and Hayley Raso. This is going to be huge for our football success in the future.
It’s also important for us adults to see. I’ve heard of men who previously dismissed women’s football and have done complete turnarounds. They’re now on the bandwagon, cheering for the Matildas. Hopefully this will make significant changes in some aspects of our chauvinistic culture.
Diversity has been championed in other ways, particularly LGBTQ+ inclusion and cultural diversity. This was highlighted in the recent Disney+ Matildas documentary which celebrated some of the players’ LGBTQ+ relationships and also talked about how the team embraces Indigenous culture. The World Cup in its essence is also a celebration of diversity as we watch and cheer on teams from the far corners of the globe.
I read this sad but lovely story about an Australian man of Indian origin who never used to barrack for Australia. He felt so hurt by the racist way he was treated as a child that he would actively support every other country except his own. But the Matildas have changed his mind.
He wrote: “On Monday night, for one of the first times in my life, I’ll be like my neighbours, the people on the train, the people at the shopping centre. I’ll be one of the millions of Australians supporting the Matildas. And if I start to backslide and support Denmark, I’ll remind myself that the Matildas do not represent my tormentors. They don’t behave like them; they don’t look like them. At its basest level, they are not them.”
Even if they don’t win, the Matildas have left a spectacular legacy.
I don’t think this is an exhaustive list and I bet as the tournament progresses, there will be more things we’ll learn. What have you learned from watching the Women’s World Cup?