New to women's football? Check this documentary series

When you think of sport in Australia, football might not be the first thing that comes to mind. It’s a nation of rugby, cricket, Australian rules football, Olympic champion Jessica Fox — and, perhaps, the much-discussed Rachael Gunn from the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.

Yet among younger generations in particular, women’s football is rapidly gaining ground. Much of the credit belongs to the national team — the Matildas — whose impact has stretched far beyond the pitch.

It is precisely this team that the six-part Disney+ documentary series Matildas: The World at Our Feet follows. Released in 2023 to coincide with the Women’s World Cup — co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand — the series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the national side during a defining moment in their history.

The opening episode begins with the arrival of then head coach Tony Gustavsson, now in charge of Sweden, setting the tone for a new era.

Each player has a story

The series does not focus solely on the national team as a collective, but also delves into the individual stories of its players. While relatively few Australian men feature in Europe’s top leagues, Australian women are among the most represented at the highest level of the game.

Matildas captain Sam Kerr, for instance, has been one of Chelsea’s biggest stars, winning multiple titles with the London club and establishing herself as one of the leading figures in the global game.

The documentary follows the Matildas both as a team and as individuals, giving the players space to tell their own stories and offer insight into the realities of life as professional footballers.

We see Mary Fowler at a pivotal moment in her career, making the move to powerhouse Manchester City, while Ellie Carpenter opens up about the challenges of adapting to life in a country where English is not the primary language — and learning to speak French as a result.

Footballer and single mom

Perhaps the most powerful layer of the series is opened up by Katrina Gorry, who returns to professional football after maternity leave. Yet her story carries even greater depth. At the time, Gorry was playing in Sweden and raising her daughter, Harper, as a single mother after undergoing IVF.

With her family based in Australia, they rarely get to see their daughter and granddaughter. The distance, the demands of elite football and the realities of single parenthood add further layers to an already remarkable journey. Gorry’s story therefore goes beyond a simple comeback narrative. It explores the realities of balancing elite sport with single motherhood, offering an honest look at the emotional and logistical demands of both.

At the same time, it highlights how conditions for mothers in professional sport have evolved — with greater support, visibility and understanding than ever before.

Ups and downs

With the Matildas, viewers ride the emotional rollercoaster of soaring victories and thunderous home crowds — but also the crushing weight of defeat and the often unseen cost of life in the spotlight. Australia’s home World Cup dream ultimately ended in heartbreak, with losses to England and Sweden consigning the hosts to fourth place.

Yet the series resonates far beyond football. It speaks to resilience, identity, pressure, ambition and belonging — themes that extend well past the final whistle and make Matildas: The World at Our Feet compelling even for those who have never watched a full 90 minutes of the game.