University of Sydney alumnae represent Matildas at World Cup
In two weeks, the Matildas will line up in front of 80,000 fans at Stadium Australia for the opening match of the 2023 Women's World Cup - and two University of Sydney alumni will be among their number.
The final 23-player squad announced by Football Australia on Monday includes defender Clare Hunt (BScience ‘20) and midfielder Clare Wheeler (BCommerce ‘20), who are both competing in their first World Cup.
“I’m delighted for both players, who earned this honour through hard work and determination while balancing the demands of a professional football career with academic success during their time here,” said Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott.
“The University community stands behind them in their quest to lift the World Cup on home soil, and we’re proud to have been a part of their remarkable journeys.
“This achievement continues the great tradition of women’s sport at the University of Sydney, which we will continue to celebrate during the World Cup with our first conference on women’s football.”
Clare Hunt and Clare Wheeler are also graduates of the Sydney University Soccer Football Club, where they played for five years while residing at St Andrew’s College.
Sydney University Soccer Football Club board member and conference co-organiser Dr Andy Harper said: “The football club is extremely proud of both Clares, whose journey from regional NSW to the University and as student athletes is an exemplar of the nexus between sport and education and its huge life-changing potential.”
Running from Monday 31 July to Thursday 3 August, the Business and Development of Women’s Football Conference 2023 is bringing together professional athletes and leading international experts to discuss the emergence of women’s football and its future.
Speakers include:
- Julie Dolan AM, first Matildas captain
- Bonita Mersiades, football writer and former Socceroos team manager
- Jean Williams, Professor of Sport History, University of Reading
- Rae Anderson, Paralympian and Para Matilda
- Jessie Davis, Women’s Sporting Director, FC Nordsjælland
- Sasha Sutherland, Director of the Barbados Olympic Association
Panels will address topics including diversity, access, inclusion, globalisation and commercialisation, and the conference will conclude with two on-field courses for coaching women’s and girls’ football.