Kerr's fury as players left little choice but to leave women's A-League
An urgent plea for greater investment in the women’s A-League has been issued by Matildas captain Sam Kerr, as the future of two key teams remains in limbo.
It has been three years since “Tillies fever” swept the nation, yet Canberra United and the Central Coast Mariners women’s teams have been unable to capitalise on that momentum, with owners no longer interested in continuing to operate the teams.
Sam Kerr left Chelsea over the off-season as the WSL's highest-paid player Steve Christo - Corbis
The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has been working on a search for a buyer for both clubs, with the Mariners men’s team purchased by Total Soccer Growth Holdings - the majority shareholder of English team Queens Park Rangers.
The women’s team was not included in that agreement, with coach Kory Babington told his services would not be required next season.
Canberra United, on the other hand, has never operated under the same ownership as their male counterparts. No buyer has arisen to save them yet.
The state of the two teams has raised questions about investment issues in the women’s A-League, with very few Matildas stars still in the competition.
And while it is no secret that all national leagues hope their best talent stars on home soil at club level, funding issues will not attract anyone to stay in the league.
“It’s quite disappointing to be honest,” Kerr, who just signed with Gotham FC in the NWSL, told reporters when asked about the state of the women’s A-League.
“Off the back of the 2023 World Cup you would think that there would be major investment in the A-League, and the girls deserve it out there.
“In Australia we want to retain our national team players, we want to retain as many top-level athletes that we can but without the investment, the players can’t stay.”
Holly McNamara and Isabel Gomez are the latest two Australian stars to depart the women’s A-League to heighten their careers internationally.
While the pair join the long list of stars to leave Australian soil, veteran midfielder Katrina Gorry has been heavily linked to return to the Brisbane Roar after announcing that she would be departing English giants West Ham.
But Gorry’s return does not heal the sadness Kerr feels when she learns more about the current state of the women’s A-League.
Michelle Heyman in action for Canberra United in the A-League Women. nna\lachlan.harper
“You’re seeing now that more and more players are having to leave the A-League,” Kerr continued.
“Of course I wish there was more investment - I don’t know the answer, 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, you get the reward back on the pitch.
“Something has to change ... because off the back of the World Cup this shouldn’t be happening.”
While the future of Canberra United and the Mariners is in limbo, Kerr’s is not, having just inked a fresh deal to join Gotham FC until the end of 2030.
The deal keeps the door ajar for Australian fans to see her wear the green and gold again on the world stage, with the 2027 women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games falling within her contract time frame.
“I have a stable place where I call home and I can train to the best of my ability, play to the best of my ability and know what’s coming for the next two-three years of national team,” she said of her new contract.
“But also club football to allow myself to be in the best possible shape for not only Gotham but the Matildas too.”
