The Ninja A League attendances have continued to dwindle amid Australia’s record breaking Women’s Asian Cup campaign last month.
As the regular season came to an end last Sunday, new crowd figures have shown that the average attendances for the league have fallen to 1,491, a 29 per cent decrease from their record breaking average attendance figure just two seasons ago, off the back of the Matildas historic World Cup run.
Source: Austadiums
Sydney FC and Matildas supporter, Michelle Morris, believes one of the many reasons that the Matildas support has not transferred over to the league, is a lack of care for the sport of football from some supporters.
“I think Australians love a winner and love a national team, but don’t really get behind the league,” she said.
“It is very frustrating that it does seem like a lot of Matildas fans don’t really care about football they kind of just care about supporting the Matildas as oppose to the sport itself.
“I remember when I played and telling people why don’t you come with me to a game, and they were like no i don’t feel like watching or yea I’m keen but never go to a game… but all of a sudden Matildas start doing well so they all start going to Matildas games.”
The lack of money invested into women’s football has also been a big issue in terms of the leagues growth.
A report via the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) ,shows that 62 per cent of players are working a second job and 76 per cent reported their financial situation is “not at all” or “only slightly” secure, with these athletes being on the lowest minimum salary out of the big six women’s leagues in Australia.
Source: Professional Footballers Australia
Despite this, APL chief executive Steve Roisch insists that there is a strong ambition to grow the league.
“The Ninja A-League is the top women’s football league in Asia, and we have strong ambitions to grow the women’s game as an important pillar for the sport and the A-League,” Mr Roisch said.
“Ahead of last season we signed a new women’s naming rights partnership with Shark Ninja who has been integral in increasing the access for young fans to attend Ninja A-League matches, and growing the free-to-air exposure for the league.”
Ms Morris believes to grow the league, it was important that journalists and content creators use their platform to increase the league’s visibility to entice attendance.
“If journalists were able to go to women’s games and properly report on these matches you’re probably going to see a different mentality from fans,” Ms Morris said.
“Because if they are seeing the game, they’re going to be more likely to go”.
There will be hopes that the A League can bounce off the hype of last month’s Asian Cup when the finals kick off on April 25 with Canberra United hosting Melbourne Victory at McKellar Park.
