Football Ferns’ Shock Win at World Cup Opener Celebrates Women’s Sport in New Zealand
The opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Auckland was a monumental moment for women’s sport in New Zealand, as the Football Ferns pulled off a stunning upset against highly ranked Norway, winning with a score of one-nil.
The game, witnessed by a boisterous crowd of 42,137 enthusiastic fans, showcased the incredible progress football has made since the days when women were discouraged or even banned from playing. It was a night of firsts for the women’s team, as they played in front of the largest crowd ever seen at a football game in New Zealand. Their previous record attendance was just 13,000, which was achieved earlier this year when they faced off against the USA at Eden Park.
There were doubts leading up to the tournament, with questions arising about the sluggish ticket sales and the Football Ferns’ ten-game winless streak (excluding the pre-tournament victory over Vietnam). However, in hindsight, the initial lack of enthusiasm can be attributed to football’s historically lower status in New Zealand compared to sports like rugby, cricket, and netball. Despite being one of the most popular sports among children and young people, football has struggled to receive the same level of media attention and recognition.
The Football Ferns’ triumph at the World Cup is a significant milestone not only for the sport of football but for women’s sport in general in New Zealand. Women’s football has a long-standing history in the country, tracing back to the early 1900s. However, talented female players have always had to fight for recognition and acceptance within clubs and organizations. For 50 years, starting in the early 20th century, women were actually banned from playing football due to societal norms. But in the 1960s, they began organizing themselves and carving their own path in a male-dominated environment.
The legacy of exclusion and marginalization still lingers in some clubs today. Research conducted by football expert Alida Shanks indicates that 36 percent of women working in New Zealand football federations feel they have faced discrimination, while 28 percent believe bias has hindered their career progress within their respective organizations.
In spite of these challenges, football’s popularity among girls and women has continued to soar. New Zealand Football (NZF) reports a remarkable increase of more than 35 percent in participation rates since 2011. This growth can be attributed to the sport’s rising visibility on a global scale, as well as the efforts made by NZF and regional sports organizations to make the game more accessible and exciting for a wider range of girls and women.
The Sport NZ Women and Girls in Sport strategy, backed by significant government investment, has played a crucial role in enhancing opportunities for female participation in sport, active recreation, and play. Additionally, the underfunding of women’s football has been reversed for the Women’s World Cup, with the government pledging NZ$19 million to upgrade facilities, including the introduction of improved accessibility and gender-neutral spaces in certain stadiums. Sport Minister Grant Robertson has been a strong advocate, supporting New Zealand’s hosting of the world cup trilogy of cricket, rugby, and now football.
While top-down strategies have undeniably had a positive impact, it is the efforts of countless women working tirelessly behind the scenes that have truly propelled the promotion, growth, and development of sporting opportunities for girls and women at all levels. The fears that New Zealanders would not rally behind the team or recognize the significance of co-hosting such a globally important sporting event have been proven unfounded.
The large number of families, including both girls and boys, who flocked to watch the Football Ferns take on a former World Cup champion team is a testament to the game’s enduring appeal and the ongoing fight for equality within the sport. As Ferns captain Ali Riley passionately declared with tears in her eyes after the match, There have been a lot of doubters because of our previous results, but we believed in ourselves. This is what dreams are made of. Anything is possible.
As the tournament progresses, it is expected that New Zealanders will continue to fill stadiums in Hamilton, Wellington, and Dunedin in the coming weeks. The ripple effects of this extraordinary opening match and the tournament as a whole will undoubtedly be felt across communities and witnessed on football fields for years to come. The Football Ferns’ historic win not only celebrates their athleticism and dedication but also symbolizes the progress and resilience of women’s sport in New Zealand.
