Matildas captain Sam Kerr has spoken out about the lack of investment in the women’s A-League, saying “something has to change” to ensure the future of the Central Coast Mariners women’s team.
Her comments on Thursday follow news that Total Soccer Growth Holdings has bought the Mariners men’s A-League team, but not the women’s team.
“I’ve been reading this week about Central Coast Mariners and some of the stuff that’s happening in Australia at the moment, and it’s quite disappointing to be honest,” Kerr said at a press conference on Thursday, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Kerr said she was disappointed there hadn’t been more investment in the women’s A-League in the wake of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hosted in Australia and New Zealand. The World Cup saw record crowds and television viewing numbers for women’s football in Australia.
“The girls deserve it out there and I think you’re seeing now that more and more players are having to leave the A-League,” Kerr said.
“Of course I wish there was more investment. I don’t know the answer, I’m just an athlete, I’m just a player – but I know that the more you invest off the pitch for these girls in the facilities and the infrastructure and all of those things, you get the reward back on the pitch.”
Kerr said she was “sad” to hear what’s going on in the A-League at the moment, but noted: “I think it’s the people at the top that probably have all the answers – or don’t have the answers – or need change. But something has to change – because off the back of the 2023 World Cup this shouldn’t be happening.”
According to ESPN, players from the Central Coast Mariners’ A-League Women team were “blindsided” by the announcement the club’s new owner did not include the women’s team in the acquisition. Players said they found out just a few minutes before an official public announcement was made.
The Australian Professional League (APL) is currently working to secure another investor for the women’s team.
Kerr made her comments about the A-League during a press conference to discuss her new deal to return to the United States and Gotham FC on a four-year deal after her exist from London club, Chelsea.
Gotham FC is a New York-based team (formerly known as Sky Blue FC). Kerr previously played for the club for three seasons between 2015 and 2017.