Bruce McAvaney says Matildas World Cup games are better for fans than Australia’s biggest men’s sporting events
- McAvaney says Matilda’s vibe is special
- Broadcaster urges matches to ‘feel friendlier’
- Says the environment of the Women’s World Cup is ‘safer’
Legendary commentator Bruce McAvaney says there’s something “special” about Matildas matches that he hasn’t encountered at men’s sporting events in Australia.
McAvaney, who to many fans is the voice of Australian sport, heads up the Channel 7 Women’s World Cup coverage team with fellow presenter Mel McLaughlin.
From AFL grand finals to Melbourne Cups, Olympics to Commonwealth Games, the 70-year-old broadcaster has done it all – but says this tournament is different.
Speaking after the Matildas beat Denmark in their round of 16 clash in front of a packed crowd at Sydney’s Stadium Australia, McAvaney said the atmosphere at the event made him feel like he was “floating on air.”
“There’s something about attending these games that’s different than going to big games where men dominate,” McAvaney said. Neil Mitchell on 3AW.
Bruce McAvaney says Matildas matches are ‘special’ in a way he hasn’t experienced before
The broadcaster said the environment at the World Cup matches also feels ‘safer’
“It’s a kinder feeling, Neil. Am I making that up? No, I’m not, because many people have said that to me.
“There’s a lot of fun, a lot of laughter, a lot of barricading and a lot of ‘come on’, but there’s also a lot of sportsmanship.
Now I’m not saying that doesn’t happen in other places, but it’s a slightly different dynamic.
“There’s no question about last night — I walked up and down from the studio to the ground a number of times doing interviews. Honestly, I felt like I was floating in the air.
“It feels safer in some ways. So many young kids there last night. Yes, we can learn something from this.’
McAvaney said the closest experience he had to Monday night’s Matildas match was the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final in Sydney, when England beat Australia on a late drop goal.
Australia’s love affair with the Matildas is reflected in the TV ratings, with the match against Denmark becoming the top-rated TV program of 2023 – beating major men’s sporting events such as the NRL’s State of Origin series and the grand final of last year’s AFL.
More than 3.5 million people watched the record-breaking Women’s World Cup match on Channel Seven – with 3.18 million on TV and 385,000 on the streaming service 7Plus.
Australia’s love affair with the Matildas is reflected in the TV ratings – and McAvaney says the team is giving fans an incredible experience they don’t get from men’s events
The World Cup round of 16 match against Denmark attracted more viewers than last year’s AFL and NRL grand finals (Geelong celebrate their victory in the AFL premiership, pictured)
Seven’s coverage of the tournament has now reached a whopping 9.25 million people on TV and 1.67 million on 7Plus.
The Aussie squad’s next match on Saturday afternoon could top Ash Barty’s monster scores as she won the 2022 Australian Open title.