Matildas have the strongest bond with fans in Australian sport

Original source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Australian supporters have a stronger emotional bond with the Matildas than any other sporting team.

The Australian women’s soccer team took out top spot on the BenchMark EC Ladder, a survey conducted by True North Research to gauge the emotional connection fans have with their teams. A sample of 4,310 Australian residents completed a survey based on a number of indices including pride, trust, enjoyment, respect and bond. 

The national women’s soccer team … came ahead of the national men’s teams in soccer, cricket, rugby and rugby league

It’s the second successive year that a national women’s sporting team has taken out the No. 1 ranking after the women’s rugby sevens side (second this season) took out top spot last year. These two women’s teams came out ahead of the national men’s teams in soccer, cricket, rugby and rugby league.

While the survey was conducted before the Matildas crashed out of the World Cup, True North Research director Georgie Maynard said such disappointments didn’t necessarily affect ladder position.

“The Matildas’ heartbreaking early exit at the World Cup hasn’t made Australians any less committed to backing them,” Maynard said.

“We all shared their disappointment, but we also buy into their resolve to come back stronger. Australians’ support for the Matildas is resilient, and as fans, we want them to turn it around.”

The Matildas recently struck an historic collective bargaining agreement that provides an opportunity for the team to earn the same pay as their male counterparts.