The Westfield W-League is an exciting prospect for the future of women’s football in Australia and while many wondered if a professionally run league for women would ever come to pass, Queensland Roar’s Alicia Ferguson was not one of them.
The midfielder – with 66 national team appearances to her name – was always confident Australia-s crop of outstanding women footballers would have the chance to showcase their talent in front of the country.
For Ferguson it was always a matter of time.
The time has finally come, with Queensland Roar Women playing its historic first Westfield W-League match at QSAC on Saturday at 5pm against Adelaide United Women.
“I wasn-t sure of the timeframe, but being in and around the national team for the past 10 years I-ve seen the progression and how much the players have pushed the standard of football and the exposure of the game,” Ferguson said.
“That-s come off the back of how well we did at the World Cup in 2007.
“From the TV coverage of the World Cup we had a lot of support and a lot of people comment the quality.”
Having been involved in the national set-up for 10 years, Ferguson has spent the past 12 months out of the game.
However, the draw of being involved in the inaugural Westfield W-League and a personal restlessness lead Ferguson back to the sport which is in her blood.
“It is very exciting,” she said. “I-ve had this year off, I haven-t played that much football, but I just wanted to get back and play.
“It-s that plain and simple, I missed playing.”
“I think the FFA are on the money by keeping the women-s teams aligned with the A-League teams.
“It makes the branding across all leagues the same and it helps people recognise it easier.
Under the guiding hand of coach Jeff Hopkins, Ferguson and her team mates are already being put forward as potential champions of the inaugural league.
On paper it is not hard to see why, with 13 Westfield Matilda and Westfield Young Matilda representatives in the squad.
Being favourites with the pundits however won-t affect the Roar Women.
“I think the only pressure you put on is on yourself and that-s the only thing that really matters,” Ferguson said.
“I don-t think there is anything to be scared of being touted as favourites.
“We-ve had that in the past and we-ve lived up to it, so I don-t think it scares anyone at all.”
Queensland Roar Women will take on Adelaide United Women at Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC), Kessels Rd, Nathan on Saturday at 5pm (gates open at 4.30pm).
