In 2023, the CommBank Matildas changed women’s sport in Australia forever. In front of a rapturous home crowd, the “Tillies” became the first Australian team to reach a senior FIFA World Cup semi-final. We became obsessed with Sam Kerr’s calf and Cortnee Vine’s right foot. People who’d never shown interest in football were suddenly card-carrying fans, culminating in a record-breaking turnout of almost 77,000 at a friendly match against China in June this year. And Australians signed up in droves to play football: in New South Wales alone there were 25,000 more registrations at the start of the 2024 season than the year before.
The CommBank Matildas brought an entire nation together and empowered future generations of females to be strong, play fair and lead without limits. But heroes aren’t born overnight and developing confidence and agency takes time. Brighter asked captain Steph Catley, veteran Tameka Yallop and 2024 Olympic debutant Clare Hunt about how they learnt to advocate for themselves – both in professional sport and life.
Clare Hunt
Clare Hunt (pictured above, left) went from her parents’ farm to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, a contract with Paris Saint-Germain FC, a move to Tottenham Hotspur FC and the 2024 Olympics.
“At times in my life, I’ve been in situations that haven’t been comfortable for me or where I don’t necessarily agree with what’s going on. For me, advocacy means going to work every day and putting yourself in a position where you’re aligning your actions with your values. Being stable, firm and confident in what you’re doing will give you the best opportunity to succeed,” says Hunt.
“This is definitely something I’ve been raised to believe. If you’re not happy doing something or you feel uncomfortable in a certain situation, don’t be afraid to express how you feel and what you need. Trust yourself. Communicating your needs and values is important.”
“Only do things that align with your values.” - Clare Hunt
Steph Catley
Melbourne-born defender Steph Catley (pictured above, middle) debuted as a Matilda in 2012 and plays for Arsenal WFC in England.
“As female footballers, we often feel like we need to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity because we haven’t always had people interested in what we’re doing, like being asked to do something on camera or wear particular clothes. Now we have more of a voice and more confidence to say ‘no’ to things. In the past, I’ve said things on camera because I was asked to and I’ve regretted it,” says Catley.
“I was also the kind of player who wanted to be out on the field no matter what. When I was younger and playing in America, I had some trouble after injuring my heel during the World Cup. The team wanted me to play through it – and I wanted to play – but I was limping and in so much pain. One of the older girls I was living with had a few stern chats with me. She said, ‘You need to tell them your body isn’t okay.’ She taught me how to care for myself and to know when it’s too much; other people can’t understand what you’re feeling. She taught me to advocate for myself because nobody else will look after you the same way you will.”
“Now we have the confidence to say no.” - Steph Catley
Tameka Yallop
Versatile Brisbane Roar FC midfielder and mum Tameka Yallop (pictured above, right) hails from the Gold Coast and has been to three Olympics.
“I’m naturally easy-going, whether that works for me or against me. But my wife has taught me to be more assertive. She often says, ‘Why don’t you do your own thing here? If somebody’s talking down to you, stand up and say what you think.’ Confidence comes down to the people you surround yourself with and who complement you in areas you might not be the strongest in,” Yallop says.
“As a young footballer, you don’t always know when things shouldn’t be happening to you or that you shouldn’t be doing work for nothing in return. Sometimes it takes other people to make you aware of how you should be treated. The key is to talk to your peers; to the people standing next to you, not just those above you. Talk to the girls who are going through the same thing as you. In football – or in any team – you’re lucky that you get to go on that journey with other people.”
“My wife has taught me to be more assertive.” - Tameka Yallop