In the lead-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Nine continues its Beyond The Dream series with a feature on the Australian women’s football team, the Matildas. Presented by 60 Minutes’ Amelia Adams, this special takes viewers behind the scenes of the Matildas’ training camp in Florida, USA, and tells the personal stories of some of the team’s biggest stars.
Senior players Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, and Lydia Williams, along with goalkeeper Teagan Micah and young Charli Grant, open up about their journeys and the challenges they’ve faced. Growing up, they often had to join boys’ teams due to a lack of opportunities for girls. They also discuss their careers, the strong friendships formed, and their ongoing battle for recognition and equality.
“Spending time with these remarkable women revealed how they’ve become such a force in world football,” said Adams. “It was a privilege to film and spend time with the Matildas, and to see how their legacy is inspiring a new generation of Australian girls into the world game (including my own 7 year old daughter, also named Matilda, among them).”
The Matildas’ determination and self-belief have paid off, with the team becoming Australia’s sporting heroes after their success in last year’s World Cup on home soil. Now, they are focused and hungry for a medal at the upcoming Paris 2024 Games.
With behind-the-scenes access and intimate interviews, this 60 Minutes special captures the raw spirit and determination of these athletes, showcasing the untold stories that have led them to become one of Australia’s most beloved sports teams.
Matildas: The Rise is produced by 60 Minutes and will premiere on Tuesday, July 16 at 7.30 pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
