- A major dispute has arisen between former Matildas pupils
- A 1975 team has been recognised as the first Australian women’s team.
- But the 1979 team is furious at Football Australia’s decision.
A major row has erupted among Matildas alumni after 15 former players were wiped from the record books this week.
On Monday, Football Australia announced it had reviewed its record books to confirm that a 1975 team will now be considered the inaugural Australian women’s national football team.
That decision has angered former Matildas players, causing fractures in an already hostile group of stars.
Julie Dolan has led the backlash against the decision, having previously been recognised as the Matildas’ first female captain.
She led the Australian women’s national soccer team against New Zealand in 1979, once regarded as the Matildas’ first game but now no longer recognised as a historic moment.
Football Australia’s change of stance also means that all 15 members of the original 1979 squad have been erased from the record books.
The 1975 team has now been officially recognised and all players from that team will be given the title of Matilda No. 0.
Dolan will remain the number 1 Matilda, but since she was also part of the 1975 team, she will also be considered the number 0 Matilda.
A team of 15 Matildas has been wiped out of the record books by Football Australia
The 1975 team that toured Hong Kong has now been recognised as the first Australian women’s team, meaning the 1979 team no longer holds that title.
The 1975 cohort was not previously recognised because most of the players were members of the same suburban Sydney club (1975 St George Budapest) and no national selection process was undertaken.
But the team represented Australia in an international tournament in Asia against New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore in Hong Kong.
That tournament has now also been dubbed as the first ever Women’s Asian Cup.
But Dolan does not share Football Australia’s view, despite being on the same tour.
“I want to stress that there was no tryout and women from interstate clubs, or any club, were not invited to tryout for this tournament,” Dolan said in a statement.
“To hear that the FA now recognises this club team as the ‘first Matildas’ makes a mockery of the national team selection process and is nothing short of ridiculous.”
Dolan added that she would reject Football Australia’s offer to be recognised as one of 16 players “without international participation”.
The FA, which rejected the 1975 team’s case last year, has yet to explain why it changed its mind.
Julie Dolan, who captained the 1979 team but was also part of the 1975 squad, has expressed anger at the decision.
Pat O’Connor captained the 1975 team and has fought for her team to gain national team status.
According to the ABC, O’Connor was captain of the St George’s team in Budapest and was the secretary of the Australian Women’s Football Association at the time and received direct contact from international football officials about the participation of an Australian team in the Hong Kong competition.
“This recognition as the ‘first Matildas’ not only celebrates our efforts and dedication, but also cements our place in Australian football history as pioneers of the women’s game,” O’Connor said.
“This 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.”
