Talent has no gender - the misogyny in sport

“Oh, ‘she believes’ in what? It better be men”, these comments by Triple M radio host, Marty Sheargold, are nothing short of abhorrent. Just nine words, yet they echo far beyond the moment. These words linger, revealing a deeper truth about attitudes towards women’s sport. These nine words speak volumes about attitudes not just about women’s sport, but about women in general.

“Go make me a sandwich.” “Useless woman.” “You belong in the kitchen.”

All things said to me countless times over the years. Each phrase, though seemingly small, carries weight – leaving scars that are not easily visible. They serve as constant reminders of the societal barriers and prejudices women face, often undermining their capabilities and worth. These statements can erode confidence and perpetuate feelings of inadequacy, highlighting the urgent need for cultural change. Worst of all, every one of those phrases – and more – was said to me by someone I once called a friend.

If young women have to hear these words from people they call friends, what sort of message is being sent by society more broadly? Such comments extend beyond schools, workplaces and sporting grounds – it is a systemic, holistic issue entrenched in our society. So entrenched, we hear it again on prime-time radio.

In 2023, the Matildas played in a home World Cup, an event which united the nation, with 11.5 million Australians watching the semi-final against England. Everyone was behind the Matildas, even though their run ended in 4th, it was the best World Cup result of any senior Australian soccer team in history.

This was it, the misogyny in sport was over, right? Women’s sport had finally been given an equitable platform. Sport, supposedly an activity for all to participate in, and support had finally reached an equitable level. Football Australia’s 2024 participation report shows a 16% increase in women’s and girls’ participation in the sport with James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, emphasising the transformative impact of women’s football by declaring on the Football Australia website that, “The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ inspired a generation.”

Following their remarkable World Cup run in 2023, the Matildas are in a building phase – adjusting to an interim coach and giving new players their debuts ahead of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Therefore, it’s no surprise that results aren’t exactly going their way in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.

On 25th February 2025, Triple M host Marty Sheargold and his co-hosts Troy Ellis and Will Ralston began discussing this run of form, and given the fairytale the Matildas have become, it can be assumed that they were treated with respect, right?

Frankly, there was anything but respect on display, with Sheargold remarking that the Matildas reminded him of, “Year 10 girls…all the infighting and all the friendship issues… Now I’m sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that’s what I think of it.” He concluded his segment by asking if there was any men’s sport to talk about.

This sentiment has resonated with my peers and me. Having played soccer for more than half her life, 16-year-old Jacinta believes, “The majority of male soccer fans don’t view women’s soccer the same way they do men’s. It is not respected and is not nearly considered equal.”

Furthermore, Jacinta’s noticed a lot of misogynistic comments in school about women’s sport in general. This is not a unique experience for a lot of young female athletes. As a soccer player myself, I am consistently met with comments of, “He can beat you and he doesn’t even play”, “I reckon I could beat you,” or “Women’s soccer isn’t even good.” This is echoed by Heidelberg U17 JGNPL captain Angelina forced to say, “just because I’m a girl, doesn’t mean I can’t play.” However, she also noted that “[women’s soccer is] becoming more inclusive and providing more options for young girls to play.”

All three of us are part of the generation that the Matildas inspired and all three of us hope to be part of the team that inspires the generations after us. I have seen firsthand the girls I played community soccer with get into coaching as the number of U12s and below at community clubs’ increase.

Imagine all the young girls on their way to or from training having to hear his misogynistic comments, all the girls who may have once played on all boys’ teams who are now able to play on girls’ teams due to the increase in participation. Sheargold’s comments were disgusting and have no place in our sport.

However, fortunately for the women’s game, this sentiment isn’t echoed by all. Following Sheargold’s comments, leading Australian soccer Instagram page @AUBallerz shared a statement, calling his comments “Not just outdated [but] unacceptable.” Moreover, starting #TalenthasNoGender, further uniting all corners of the Australian soccer community.

If you ask me, the focus of these events is not Sheargold’s distasteful comments, or the laughter of his co-hosts.  No. The focus of these events is the shared outrage, disgust, and anger at these comments.

Both male and female players across a variety of sports have called out these abhorrent comments. We have broken a barrier, but true equality requires more than just fleeting moments of support. It demands a fundamental shift in attitudes and the dismantling of entrenched stereotypes that limit women’s potential.

Society must actively work towards creating environments where women are valued and respected, both on and off the field. To all the coaches, parents, spectators and everyone else, we need to continue calling out these disgusting comments, and let those saying it that it never was, and never will be okay. As young female footballers we have to continue playing like we know we can, because as Angelina said, “just because [we are girls], doesn’t mean [we] can’t play.”