Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn became an honorary Matilda at the professional women’s soccer team’s match on Monday.
She was presented with the jersey at GIO Stadium Canberra on 2 June.
“I never take for granted being given a team jersey, it’s one of the most special moments you can have in an official role, to be welcomed into the team,” she told CD.
“So, I felt humbled but very excited and I felt part of the team tonight.”
Ms Mostyn has also received jerseys from the Australia Governor-General’s XI’s women’s cricket team and Netball Australia.
“I feel very, very honoured and when you love sport like I do, to be welcomed into teams, you feel part of a team by wearing a jersey, it’s incredibly special,” she said.
She also took time during the night to speak with and take photographs with Matildas fans.
It’s clear that fans of the “Tillies” will travel far and wide across the country to see their beloved team play.
A record-breaking 25,125 people packed out GIO Stadium Canberra, where Australia beat Argentina 4-1.
Olivia Tarnowski from Goulburn was at the match with her mother, Linda, and others.
They have also watched the Matildas play in Geelong and Sydney, and Canberra United at McKellar Park in the A-League Women’s.
Olivia said she travelled to Canberra for the match because of her love for soccer.
“I want to be like them one day,” she said.
Olivia plays for Goulburn rep and Goulburn Stags Football Club.
Katrina Gordon from Sydney, was at the match with her 9-year-old daughter Jorjah Gordon-Grey.
“We get to as many Tillies games as we can,” Katrina said.
“We’ve been on the Central Coast to watch them. Whenever we’re in Sydney, we get there and then this was pretty close, it’s only two-and-a-half hours from home.”
Jorjah, who plays for Oran Park Rovers Football Club, said her mother introduced her to the Matildas.
“I said to her that ‘When I grow up, I want to try as hard as I can to end up in the same position professionally,’” she said.
When CD asked why she wanted to be a professional soccer player, she said, “There’s so many reasons”.
“Because I’m a defender, I can strike, and I can be a midfielder, but it feels good when you score and you win, it’s a really good feeling,” Jorjah said.
“It’s a nice sport to play. It’s not like rugby where it’s physical.”
Her favourite player is Alanna Kennedy, whose nephews go to the same school as her.
Coach praises Canberra:
In the pre-match conference on Sunday 1 June, interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni praised Canberra, and Canberra United — who he said should remain in the A-League Women’s.
At the post-match press conference on Monday, CD asked Mr Sermanni how it felt to have his final match for this round of coaching the Matildas in Canberra, where he lived for 16 years.
“It’s kind of strange because I came to Canberra in 1984 to play for Canberra City, and we used to play here when there was an actual track around the field,” he said.
“So, this is kind of where I started, playing in Canberra. And when I finished up playing, I was with Canberra Cosmos as a coach at this stadium.
“So that’s where I finished my last game in the national capital, so it’s really quite nostalgic and really nice to be back here.”
He also had a stint at the Australian Institute of Sport.
When CD, asked if he would return to Canberra for a role, he said, “It’s a wee bit too cold”.
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