It’s a big month for football — with the Women’s Asian Cup now underway and the Matildas already on the scoreboard with a 1–0 win over the Philippines!

To celebrate all the action, we’re bringing back this Squiz Kids Shortcut to Women’s Football — where we explore how the game began, what was happening in Australia, and why women’s football has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

You’ll hear the incredible history of women playing soccer — from queens kicking balls in the 1500s, to record-breaking crowds in the 1920s, to the rise of Australia’s very own Matildas.

Note for listeners: This episode was originally recorded in 2023, before the FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand — so you may hear references to that tournament coming up.

🎧 Perfect for curious kids aged 8–12 — and anyone who loves sport, history, and a great comeback story.

Listen carefully… there’s a Squiz at the end!

For the full episode transcript, click here.

LINKS:

Women's football - primary sources: ⁠http://www.donmouth.co.uk/womens_football/womens_football.html⁠

The story of women's football in England: ⁠https://www.thefa.com/womens-girls-football/heritage/kicking-down-barriers⁠

History of women's football in Australia: ⁠https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/history-womens-football-australia⁠

How the Matildas' got their name: ⁠https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/sometimes-you-strike-it-lucky-how-a-25-cent-phone-poll-gave-the-matildas-their-name-20230517-p5d93q.html?instance=2023-06-24-06-06-AEST&jobid=29705766&list_name=E2446F7A-1897-44FC-8EB8-B365900170E3&mbnr=MzE0NDQ1OTU&promote_channel=edmail&utm_campaign=am-smh-weekend&utm_content=good_weekend&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=2023-06-24⁠

Everything we need to know about the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: ⁠https://www.refinery29.com/en-au/2023/06/11417703/fifa-womens-world-cup-2023-details