11.15 million people, that’s 43% of the Australian population watched the Semi Final match last night between our forever golden girls; the Matilda’s and the Brits a.k.a, my archnemesis. This means that this was the highest rated television event since 2001 (which is literally when our current rating system commenced). The NRL could never (repeat with me: The NRL could never).
The way in which the globe and in particular, Australia has embraced our Matilda’s is awe inspiring and not to mention the marketing during the lead up to these matches have officially challenged Queen Greta’s Barbie press tour. This tells me two things; Firstly, we should be living in a matriarchal society and secondly, the head honchos of Australian media should be taking notes.
As a television producer, we’re encouraged to float ideas around the office in hopes of creating a new and fresh perspective that shall captivate Australian audiences. Yes, my queer agenda is to always place LGBTQIA+ and female identifying/AFAB stories at the forefront of my pitches however, what’s usually fed back to me is “I love it but, so and so won’t”. or “we’re not quite there yet, I wish we were!” even the devastating “Great but! Australian audiences don’t want to see that at 7:30-8:00pm”. All these conversations just so happened to be with middle aged white men.
Dare I say it, but it seems as though these individuals might be a little afraid of change? Are they uncomfortable with others having the microphone or are they just living in world that revolves around them? The jury is still out however, change is coming and boy (ironically), I am here for it.
What these ratings tell me is that not only are the Australian public excited for change, but they’re also embracing it. They’re inspired by it, even. This will forever be a moment in time remembered by all. There is a feeling of hope in the air, hope for our next generation of female football players but also for football players of all genders because, our Matilda’s have officially set a new standard in Australian sport where not only are we excellent but also that the “everyday bloke” is in all of us.
It's time to pay female athletes equally, it’s time to champion and get behind more female led stories and it’s time for diversity to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind. So head honchos, Australia has told you over the past two weeks that they are in fact, ready for change.
