Australia’s love for women’s sport has just hit new heights as research shows sports fans feel most emotionally connected to four of our national women’s teams.
The Australian women’s cricket team has the highest level of emotional connection with sports fans, just ahead of the Matildas, the Australian women’s rugby 7s team, and netball’s Diamonds.
The ratings come from True North Research, that conducted a survey of 4832 sports fans to establish which teams produce the greatest levels of pride, trust, enjoyment, respect, and bond.
The love for the women’s cricket team comes off the back of their stunning T20 World Cup final win against India in March, where they played in front of a record-breaking crowd of 86,174 in Melbourne.
Thanks to the best fans in the world 😍😍 https://t.co/vjpxkXJ8JB
— Australian Women’s Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) June 16, 2020
The research acknowledged Australians are generally more familiar with men’s sports teams, but when teams’ familiarity and emotional connection score were combined, the Matildas are our “broadest loved” national team.
Meanwhile, the Diamonds achieved their highest ever rating for emotional connection, a nod to their player’s conduct since the coronavirus pandemic began.
“Women athletes are particularly aware of the perilous situation that the pandemic has caused for their sport,” Georgie Maynard, Director of True North said.
“They have been active during isolation, recognising they had their own role to play in ensuring the future of their sport, be it through salary cuts, keeping fan engagement levels up and working with the sponsors of their sports.”
“As national sporting bodies wrestle with big issues – moving World Cups, finding international teams to play, and how to squeeze in international matches after delayed league seasons – it will bring them comfort to know that Australians have not abandoned their national teams.”
The Wallaroos came in at number 10 on the list, followed by the Opals at number 11.
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