I think in general, major sports are bringing in bigger crowds consistently for women’s matches. Maybe they won’t be selling out 40k+ stadiums in a few years, but they may well continue to draw crowds similar to the Socceroos. I doubt very much it’ll go back to crowds of 10k or less for a long time, if ever.
Currently they don’t have much to offer. They’re not winning, they’re not really inspirational battlers any more and Sam Kerr is an injury prone racist. Is Mary Fowler still dating that NRL guy? That might generate some interest.
Probably a good time to make the Olympics u/23 for women too with an overage quota.
Need to bring through the next gen and these games are perfect to give them experience in a major tournament.
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Not sure I agree with that, I don’t quite think they are at the stage they can afford to do that - it’s not like these games at the Olympics are selling out stadiums (e.g. it’s gone fully professional around most of the world). You kinda need to get to that stage so you can wind it back slowly and introduce the youth element, otherwise it’ll be even less popular of an olympic sport than it is now.
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Not to mention the big European clubs are going to start kicking a stink about senior players being whisked off to another tournament. I could easily see it becoming a discussion point in time for the Brisbane Games.
I think that’s probably the right timing, a other 8 years gives a lot of time for leagues to develop and bring through bigger squads and more youth.
So it’s confirmed that Tony Gustavsson’s reign of terror is at an end
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Wonderful news!
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I guess it depends what new reign of terror they next install
They’ll probably give Harry Kewell or Tony Popovic a call.
Leah Blayney to step up please, I’ve got some gloating to attend to.
Whilst Tony seemed a decent guy and the squad seemed to like him, this does seem the best a mvoe that should have come a while back.
The big question will be how hes replaced. Had this happened a few months ago we might have got Montemurro. Now the options are a bit less. Looking at recent success in the ALW, I dont think Ante Juric would want the job. After that, Vidosic has gone to Brighton so Jeff Hopkins becomes the likely option. If theyre looking internally and go someone like GVE that’ll be pretty dissapointing. Surely we go overseas- ideally this time with womens head coaching experience rather than assistant
There’s a few angles to look at this however generally speaking, there aren’t many sports at the Olympics that would be considered popular or viable from a commercial viewpoint. We actually have a game that is watched well beyond any others after these games are done.
I think younger female footballers need an opportunity on a global scale. Imagine being a 20 year old aspiring female footballer thinking Clare Polkinghorne, at 35, is about to earn her 800th cap? With all due respect to her career and commitment to Aus football, what are we really trying to achieve longer term from these games? Take Indiana Dos Santos (or the next 16-17 year old) to the games and reap the benefits of these girls gaining invaluable tournament experience. A gold medal at the Olympics is great, but we all know that the World Cup is where it’s at.
The women’s game talent pool needs to grow and these games should be the platform for it. Imagine the younger female footballers from minnow nations that have a chance to showcase themselves? I’d probably allow more overage players in the women’s Olympic matches but these games are effectively WWC matches under a different umbrella.
For me it has to happen sooner rather than later, the women’s game globally is healthier than it’s ever been and in theory will only improve.
Part of the football landscape and the consequence (or benefits) of success. I’m sure calendars could be adjusted to help.
Jurgen Klopp.
I think it might be time to try out management by panel of former captains?
I’d do management by survey.
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Rudan for the pure entertainment
Might as well get that survey website up right away in that case
Only if he hides in the bushes and watches them all come in
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