Women’s football attendance records are set to be shattered in Australia following move to bigger stadiums, but just TWO Matildas will play in the revamped A-League Women competition

Australia’s football is on the rise following the Matildas’ World Cup success, but only two players from Tony Gustavsson’s side will compete in the Women’s A-League competition in the opening games in October.

Veteran midfielder Tameka Yallop has joined Brisbane Roar for a third time and winger Cortnee Vine has turned down foreign interest in staying at Sydney FC.

The likes of Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Mackenzie Arnold will instead all play again in the financially lucrative English Super League, with Katrina Gorry in Sweden.

A-Leagues commissioner Nick Garcia knows the importance of building on the momentum generated by the World Cup, and has predicted attendance records will be broken across the country at Allianz Stadium and AAMI, among others Park.

“Every Matilda who played at the World Cup started their football journey locally,” he said News Corp.

Sam Kerr’s abilities were evident from an early age: she’s pictured starring as a teenager for Perth Glory in 2008

“It’s the only place where we can watch current and former national team stars and the next generation in our own backyard every week.

“We want everyone to go to a game and show their support for women’s football and their local heroes.”

Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory have set the ball rolling, announcing that they have already broken their club records for women’s season passes two months after the opening round.

Central Coast Mariners have also returned after a fourteen-year absence, with the league consisting of twelve teams.

Several matches will also be played as a preview of the A-League men’s fixtures, allowing eager fans to experience a matchday football celebration.

What needs to change is the current minimum wage for full-time women’s players in Australia, which is an appalling $25,000 per season.

Despite a calf injury limiting her time in the World Cup, Matildas captain Sam Kerr was an instant draw for many football fans.

Veteran midfielder Tameka Yallop (pictured right) joins Brisbane Roar for a third time after spells in England and Norway

Young Mary Fowler was a breakout star in the Women’s World Cup and previously played with Adelaide in the Women’s A-League competition

By comparison, the average salary of men in the A-League is $150,000 a year.

Increased TV access – namely via free-to-air broadcast on Channel 10 – is also in urgent need of an overhaul to accommodate fans unable to attend live matches.

With the Matildas playing to 75,000 fans at their World Cup matches in Sydney, the hunger for elite women’s football is evident.

Now it’s up to senior football officials – led by Australian Professional Leagues (APL) boss Danny Townsend – to keep an eye on the code over the coming months.

How they do that will be critical.

“Conversion (of the World Cup) is key,” Townsend told Daily Mail Australia.

‘In my opinion, the (local) product has always been up to standard, and how great will it be for Matildas supporters to see their heroes in their own capital every week?

“We experienced a generational sporting moment by co-hosting the World Cup – and the public embraced it enormously.

“As we move forward, we need to unite with Football Australia and liaise with key stakeholders such as the state and federal governments to secure funding in key areas so that the code thrives.”