By David Polkinghorne
Having been the initial spokeswoman for the Matildas strike, goalkeeper Lydia Williams is confident Australia's best women soccer players will now be able to play in Europe and still represent their country.
The Football Federation Australia and Professional Footballers Australia are close to ending their dispute over a new collective bargaining agreement, which means next week's Matildas camp and the start of the A-League season could go ahead as planned.
Lydia Williams is confident the Matildas will now be allowed to play in Europe instead of the W-League.Credit: Getty Images
Aside from trying to get pay they can actually live on, the Matildas were also pushing to be allowed to play wherever they want in the world and still be available for Australian selection.
Currently, they're required to play in the W-League, which not only minimise their earning potential, but also their development potential. The pay in Europe is better and the seasons are longer.
The Matildas are also expected to get increased minimum guaranteed wages as part of the new CBA.
While the players are yet to agree to any proposed FFA deal, Williams was confident the Matildas would now be allowed to play off-shore.
"I think so. It's really important that we have security with our national team," she said.
"We're really passionate to play for our country, but we also can be able to go overseas and make a name for ourselves over there as well.
"It's important for our own development in the national team, so we can look at places and improve ourselves.
"We don't feel like we're getting that improvement at home."
Williams said it could potentially weaken the W-League, but they would cross that bridge when they come to them.
United defender Ellie Brush was playing in the USA for the Houston Dash at the time the Matildas cancelled their trip there to play some friendlies against the world champions.
She was part of the squad that didn't end up playing.
While she would have loved to play the USA, Brush said it was an important step for women's soccer in Australia.
"It's something that has been building to this for the last five years and this was the final straw," Brush said.
"It's now riched that point where something's got to give and the players finally standing up for themselves."
But Brush's main focus was on the upcoming W-League season, where she's confident Canberra United can become the first team to win back-to-back titles.
The reigning champions start their season against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, as part of a double-header with the A-League clash between the Roar and the Central Coast Mariners.
"We're going back-to-back, it's going to be an awesome season and all the Canberra public should get down and support us," Brush said.
"We're definitely aiming high, We've got a great squad and it's definitely looking good early in the season."