Matildas captain Sam Kerr has delivered a stinging assessment of the state of women’s football in Australia, declaring ‘this shouldn’t be happening’ as uncertainty continues to surround the future of two A-League Women clubs.
Speaking after being unveiled by Gotham FC in the United States, Kerr said she was saddened by the lack of investment in the domestic competition, just three years after Australia’s successful co-hosting of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Her comments come as the futures of Central Coast Mariners’ women’s side and Canberra United remain uncertain, with the Australian Professional Leagues still searching for buyers after the Mariners’ men’s team was sold without its women’s program.
‘I’ve been reading this week about Central Coast Mariners and some of the stuff that’s happening in Australia at the moment and it’s quite disappointing to be honest,’ Kerr said.
‘Off the back of the 2023 World Cup you would think that there would be major investment in the A-League, and the girls deserve it out there – and I think you’re seeing now that more and more players are having to leave the A-League.
‘In Australia we want to retain our national team players, we want to retain as many top-level athletes that we can but without the investment, the players can’t stay.’
Sam Kerr has blasted the state of Australian women’s football after fresh uncertainty hit two A-League Women clubs
The Matildas captain said the situation ‘shouldn’t be happening’ three years after Australia’s successful Women’s World Cup
She said she was disappointed by the uncertainty surrounding Central Coast Mariners’ A-League Women side
Canberra United’s future also remains unclear as the Australian Professional Leagues searches for new buyers
Kerr said improving facilities and infrastructure would ultimately strengthen Australia’s player pathway and national teams.
‘So of course I wish there was more investment – I don’t know the answer, I’m just an athlete, I’m just a player – but I know that the more you invest off the pitch for these girls in the facilities and the infrastructure and all of those things, you get the reward back on the pitch,’ she said.
The 32-year-old also questioned the leadership overseeing the women’s game, saying change was urgently needed.
‘So I’m really sad to hear what’s going on in the A-Leagues at the moment but I think it’s the people at the top that probably have all the answers – or don’t have the answers – or need change.
‘But something has to change – because off the back of the 2023 World Cup this shouldn’t be happening.’
Kerr’s comments come as a growing number of Australia’s best players continue to leave the A-League Women for overseas competitions offering higher salaries and improved professional conditions.
The league’s reigning standout performers, Holly McNamara and Isabel Gomez, are among those departing, while others have opted to join clubs in the United States and Canada’s Northern Super League.
The current minimum salary in the A-League Women sits at $27,000, leaving little financial incentive for established Matildas to return to Australia during the peak years of their careers.
Kerr said Australia should be investing heavily in women’s football after the 2023 World Cup
The superstar striker warned players would continue leaving Australia without better wages, facilities and infrastructure
Kerr admitted she will not be among them any time soon after signing a long-term contract with Gotham FC following six seasons at Chelsea.
She said the move back to the National Women’s Soccer League offered the stability she was seeking after the latter part of her Chelsea career was disrupted by a serious ACL injury.
‘With Chelsea, staying there so long I did see the rewards on the pitch,’ Kerr said.
‘So that’s my hope with this – is that I have a stable place where I call home and I can train to the best of my ability, play to the best of my ability and know what’s coming for the next two-three years of national team but also club football to allow myself to be in the best possible shape for not only Gotham but the Matildas too.’
Kerr also believes she has returned to her best after recovering from injury.
‘I’ve scored some of the best goals I’ve ever scored this year – some at the Asian Cup, some in my last game at Chelsea,’ she said.
‘And I think that just shows that if I’m put on the park with the right people around me and the right coach to coach me I can still be at the best of my ability.
‘Hopefully my club football translates into my national team football but they’re just as important as each other and I’ll be doing my best to score as many goals for both teams [as possible].’
