It’s been a massive week for the Matildas — with Sam Kerr making her long-awaited return to Aussie soil in Adelaide for the first time in 763 days, and back-to-back wins over New Zealand. Plus, with just 86 days until Australia kicks off its AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign in Perth, there’s no better time to look back at how women’s football began, how far it’s come, and why it matters so much today.

LINKS:

Women's football - primary sources

The story of women's football in England

History of women's football in Australia

How the Matildas' got their name