How the Matildas got their name
Where did the name Matildas come from, and when?
In 1994, the Australian Women's National Football team qualified for their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup, which was to take place in Sweden in 1995.
At the time, the team was referred to as 'the Female Socceroos', which even featured in the official match program for a Socceroos friendly against Colombia, featuring an Australian U-23 women's team and World Cup hopefuls in a curtain-raiser to the men's game.
After the match, SBS and the Australian Women's Soccer Association (AWSA) decided to run a viewer competition to find a nickname for the Women's National Team.
The shortlist included:
- Soccertoos
- Blue Flyers
- Waratahs
- Matildas
- Lorikeets
Thankfully, the Matildas name was successful, despite initial reservations from the players.
The name was regularly used in the lead up to and during the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup, and it is still used to this day, with the Matildas now one of the most popular national teams in Australia.
Sign Up for News
Football Australia Newsletter, Merchandise & Online Store, Partners' Offers
Upcoming match CommBank Matildas vs Colombia - Geelong
FA+ Pre-Sale starts 12pm AEDT Fri 9th Oct
Get priority access to football
FA+ members get presale access to all Australian football matches, discounts on official merchandise and exclusive access to events.
-
Discounted tickets and presale access
-
Member pricing on official kit
-
Invitations to members only events
