During the World Cup, the Melbourne Press Club hosted footballer Gabriela Garton, athlete and broadcaster Nana Owusu-Afriyie and sports journalist Marnie Vinall for an event on media coverage of women’s sport and what’s next for the Matildas.

With host Dr Kasey Symons, they also touched on the Olympics and how the spotlight fades as quickly as it appears.

“Why do we just wait for those few glory weeks. There’s a lot more work. We need to invest in those stories,” Owusu-Afriyie said.

“I want to see how [the athletes] got there.

“I call it the Olympic blues, because the Olympics is the biggest sporting event in the world for two weeks, and after the closing ceremony no one cares about the athletes.”

While the World Cup helped us get to know some of the Matildas team now representing us in Paris, watching last year’s competition proved difficult for many.

“I think it was a big problem that not all matches were free-to-air, while all men’s games were,” Garton noted, with the panel voicing agreement.

TV rights for this Olympics have gone to a free-to-air broadcaster promising 24-hour coverage across its TV and web channels, however this free access only serves sports well if people are interested enough to tune in.

It falls on fans to prove to networks there is demand for greater coverage of non-male sport.

“I feel like organisations are very scared to put money into women’s sports, to invest and see the outcome, and are hoping that others – like the fans and the supporters – do the investing and then they’ll capitalise on that,” Owusu-Afriyie said.

“That didn’t work when we first started sports, so I don’t understand why they believe what will happen in women’s sport.”

Owusu-Afriyie identified broad on- and off-season AFL coverage as an example of what is needed to allow would-be fans to find women’s teams and new sports.

Tillies 2024

So, what has happened for the Matildas in the lead-up to Paris?

The team has made a few changes, including the selection of four Olympics first-timers – Kaitlyn Torpey, Cortnee Vine, and a pair of Clares; Hunt and Wheeler.

Another story is the return of Michelle Heyman, a former Olympic player who was away from the team for six years before being called up in February.

Katrina Gorry also played in the 2016 Olympics before missing the 2020 Games. Like Heyman, she will play in Paris.

You can find out more about the team here.

Image: EK/Melbourne Press Club