Sydney hosted the annual Marie Claire’s 2023 :

After defeating the Diamonds, Indi Cooper, and Meg Lanning, the team was crowned ‘Champion of the Year’ for 2023. The squad achieved tremendous heights both on and off the field, culminating in our best-ever result at the FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil. Lydia Williams, Kyah Simon, and Charli Grant were present to claim the trophy on the team’s behalf. 

The nation’s unwavering support for The Matildas throughout this year’s FIFA World Cup underscored the game’s exceptional
ability to unite people and reignited attention to the gender wage disparity in women’s sports.

Even though Australia’s final World Cup performance was a very respectable fourth—the greatest result for any Australian football team—their influence on the country was enormous.

Mary, Sam, and Hayley all have a certain quality. Cortnee, Steph, and Caitlin. Mackenzie, Ellie, and the other members of the squad. Ask any Australian who watched the FIFA Women’s World Cup and didn’t fall hard for the Matildas.

Along with the nation’s most famous rallying cry, “Go the Tillies!” we yelled these names from stadiums, TV screens, and bars throughout the nation. Green and gold frenzy spread, even to people who don’t generally follow women’s football or any other sport, as the national team easily advanced to the quarterfinals against France. The Matildas overcame France 7–6 in the longest penalty shootout in World Cup history, a thrilling matchup.

On the scene of her cover shot, Mary Fowler tells Marie Claire, “I get goosebumps just thinking about it.” It seems like a dream now that I think about it. There was such a rush of adrenaline in that moment.

Even though Australia’s final World Cup performance was a very respectable fourth—the greatest result for any Australian football team—their influence on the country was enormous. They not only broke attendance records and TV viewership statistics, but they also changed the perception of women’s sports.

“It’s hard to put into words the legacy we’ve left behind,” remarks Fowler, speaking on behalf of her team at Marie Claire’s Women of the Year Awards. We may be acknowledged as a team for the job we completed and the experiences we shared, which I find to be very unique. The Tillies not only dominated on the field but also attracted attention to the gender wage gap in sports and demonstrated the special ability of women’s sports to unite a country.