Marty Sheargold’s Matildas Remarks Are No Joke

Marty Sheargold's recent comments on the Matildas have really stirred up some big questions about the way we discuss women's sport.

Sure, humour is subjective and everyone’s got a right to an opinion, but when jokes tip into tired, harmful stereotypes, it’s time to call it out. Comparing a team of fiercely talented, hard-working professional athletes who are revered by girls (and boys for that matter) here in Australia and around the world to squabbling teenagers?

Honestly, it’s not only lazy, it completely undercuts their professionalism while feeding the outdated idea that women’s sports aren’t as legitimate as men’s. 

The fight to earn women in sport the recognition they deserve is being hard won - bit by tiny bit, and then stuff like this reminds us just how fragile that progress is. But here’s the thing I tell my girls every day—words carry weight.

Whether it’s on the field, at the office, or on social media, the language people use has real impact. Public figures especially need to take a moment to think about how their words land because casual digs like Sheargold’s send a dangerous message. It normalises the idea that women’s sport is less important or, worse, just a joke.

Melissa Noonan, who runs Hero Athletica, a brand focused on young female soccer players, summed it up perfectly when she said, “We need to be building up this generation of girls, not tearing down their role models. Everyone—commentators, brands, fans—needs to help create a space that encourages more participation and celebrates women’s achievements.”

It doesn’t stop there. Georgie Trickett, from Play On Australia, shared some sobering stats. Nearly 57% of kids who quit sport around 13 or 14 are girls—far more than boys. And girls face enough challenges already—like the pressure to perform, anxiety about their bodies, and just dealing with periods—without having to hear that their efforts aren’t taken seriously.

I know these challenges firsthand, having worked with brands like Lava Tribe and now Eltee Sydney, both of which are about removing barriers for girls in sport. And the barriers are no joke. From subpar facilities to lack of funding for equipment and coaching, too often the quality of experience for girls falls far short of what boys get. Unsurprisingly, this poorer experience is one of the main reasons girls give up.

The Women’s Sports Foundation backs this up. They point to the "quality of experience"—things like inferior facilities, equipment, and access to skilled coaches—as a big reason so many girls step away from sport. And remarks like Sheargold’s? They just make the problem worse by fuelling the idea that girls’ sporting efforts don’t matter as much.

Melissa Noonan put it bluntly but right on the money, “Young girls see these athletes as role models. When their work gets brushed off, it tells these girls that their own efforts—whether in sport or any passion—are easy to dismiss. That kind of message sticks and can scare girls away from even trying.”

And Georgie Trickett sets the record straight on the actual support for women’s sport, saying, “It’s a myth that there’s no interest. Fans of women’s sports spend $4 billion a year on merchandise, stadium audiences are selling out, broadcast ratings are growing, and female athletes are highly influential with their followers. Women’s sport deserves far better treatment, and our daughters deserve to see that respect.”

It’s not just one off-hand comment—it’s part of a broader pattern of dismissive attitudes.

And that attitude? It chips away at confidence. When girls internalise the idea that they’ll never be taken seriously, even before stepping onto the field, why would they bother staying? 

This isn’t just about sport either; it’s about skills for life. We know sport teaches critical things like teamwork, resilience, leadership, and perseverance. Strip sport away from girls, and you’re also stripping these valuable lessons—and future opportunities to thrive.

Libby Trickett of Play On Australia nails it when she says, “By now, we should be celebrating the brilliance of female athletes and giving young girls role models to aspire to. Instead, they’re made the punchline. It’s old, it’s tired, and frankly, we can all do so much better.”

Critiquing a team’s performance? Absolutely fair game. Discussing their tactics on the pitch? Sure, go for it. But using language that belittles or ridicules their hard work and talent? That’s not just a poor joke—it’s a setback for everyone.

For me, raising two daughters keeps this crystal clear. Representation matters. I want them to step into every space—be it sports, business, or life—knowing their contributions are just as valid and worthwhile as anyone else’s. And that’s why I believe it’s up to anyone with a platform, big or small, to think carefully about what they say and the impact it might have.

It’s not about stifling free speech—it’s about using influence responsibly. We need to create an environment where girls aren’t constantly having to prove their worth just to stand on a field. With better support, respect, and encouragement, we can flip the tired narrative for good.