Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has demanded “real investment” across grassroots football, facilities, his high performance team and in bridging the gap between the youth and senior national teams.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Saturday a program called “Play Our Way” in which $200 million will be spent on improving sporting facilities and equipment for women and girls.
FIBA Basketball World Cup | Starts Aug 25. Watch every Boomers, Team USA and Finals game FREE & LIVE on ESPN with Kayo Freebies Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >
The Prime Minister’s announcement is aimed to continue the momentum generated by the Matildas’ historic World Cup campaign, although it remains unclear how much of the $200m will be directed towards football.
Gustavsson was asked about his future as the Matildas coach amid links with the vacancy for the United States team.
The Swede reiterated that he “loves working with this team” and sees the Matildas’ exit as the “beginning of a journey” rather than an end but curiously didn’t pour cold water on linking up with the USWNT.
However, his tone quickly changed.
“But I want to be very clear that I want to see investment now. I really do,” Gustavsson said in his post-match press conference.
“I want to see investment. And I mean real investment, that we’re serious about what we do.”
When pressed on what he envisaged in terms of investment, he conceded there are people who “know more” about football in Australia and how resources and money should best be allocated.
Tilles tearful after Sweden seal third | 00:38
MORE COVERAGE
Tired Tillies’ dream run brought to brutal end as Sweden snares bronze medal
Matildas Player Ratings: Valiant Kerr act not enough as star bounces back after costly error
‘Best for the team’: Matildas boss points to ‘clear strategy’ behind glaring issue
But Gustavsson identified three key areas that desperately needed a financial injection if he is to realise his vision for women’s football in Australia.
“One is obviously the grassroots,” Gustavsson said.
“The more players that play, the better players we will get. The more players that stay longer in the game, the better players we will have.”
Gustavsson added “facilities” as another pressing need along with the “high performance space.”
“Obviously I’m going to be passionate about the high performance space and we’ve already done some major change in investments since I’ve come on board,” Gustavsson said.
“We now have a full-time goalkeeping coach, we now have a full-time physio, we now have a full-time sports scientist. That didn’t exist when I came on board.”
Another area Gustavsson needs to see funds allocated to is the gap between Australia’s youth and senior teams.
“Another space I’m passionate about is the U20 and U23 space,” Gustavsson said.
“That gap that we have from the youth national team to the senior national team, I think we need a massive investment in that space because we’ve seen some players coming through and that step has been too big.
“That middle step has to be invested in.”