A decision by Football Australia to recognise a women’s team from Australia who played in an international tournament in Hong Kong in 1975 as the “first Matildas” has proved divisive and been rejected by the woman who has now lost the title of the Matildas’ first captain, Julie Dolan.
The tournament was held four years before the Matildas’ first ‘A’ international against New Zealand in Sydney that has previously been recognised as the side’s first match. Dolan, the Australian skipper in that fixture, holds Matildas cap number one. She also played in the 1975 team.
The 63-year-old has chosen to reject the new acknowledgement, and argues the earlier team made up largely of St George Budapest players did not involve a formal selection process.
“I want to stress that there were no trials and women from interstate clubs, or any club for that matter, were not invited to try out for this tournament,” she said. “To hear that FA are now recognising this club team as the ‘first Matildas’ makes a mockery of the selection process for a national team and is nothing short of farcical.”
FA declined to comment on Dolan’s stance, but chairman Anter Isaac paid tribute to the efforts of the 1975 players.
“This recognition is long overdue and a testament to the pioneering spirit of the women who paved the way for future generations of female footballers in Australia,” he said. “The 1975 team’s achievements laid the foundation for the development and success of women’s football in our country, and it is our honour to formally acknowledge their contributions.”
FA established a working group involving Isaac, deputy chair Jackie Lee-Joe and board member Spiro Pappas to review how it should acknowledge the 1975 team, which drew additional interest in the lead-up to last year’s women’s World Cup.
FA decided this week it will formally recognise all representatives of the 1975 Australian Women’s Team with ‘A’ International caps numbered “0”, similar to the treatment of the 1922 men’s team known as the ‘first Socceroos’.
1975 team captain Pat O’Connor – who will now formally be known as the first skipper of the Matildas – said she was honoured and thrilled.
“This acknowledgment and recognition as the ‘first Matildas’ not only celebrate our efforts and dedication but also cements our place in Australian football history as the pioneers of the women’s game,” she said. “It is a moment of immense pride for all of us, and I am grateful for the recognition of our contributions to the sport we love.”
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However, Dolan remains adamant that there were other players in this era that were worthy of consideration but who were not given the opportunity to represent Australia.
“I was a member of this team and was present the night we were informed by the club coach that we would be going to a tournament in Hong Kong,” she said. “I’d only just joined the team and remember one of the longer serving players was told I would be going instead of her. That apparently, was the selection process for this supposed ‘national’ team.”
The 1975 team is expected to be presented with their caps at a home Matildas match following the Olympics.