A-League Women’s clubs ride World Cup wave with record membership sign-ups | OneFootball

A-League Women clubs are already smashing membership records six weeks out from the start of the new season thanks to a spike in interest due to the Matildas’ World Cup success.

A survey of teams by Guardian Australia has revealed strong responses to membership drives and a record number of free passes for children offered by the league. Memberships typically offer tickets to each home game, merchandise and other discounts.

Three clubs – Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar – have already broken their women’s membership records. Sydney FC are approaching 1,400 sign-ups and Melbourne Victory reported their tally had passed 1,000 last week. Matildas winger Cortnee Vine has re-signed with Sydney FC for the season, and her teammate Tameka Yallop will line up for the Roar.

The Brisbane club has reached 2,500 members across paid and free children’s memberships, and are hoping to reach 4,000 in the coming month. “It’s an amazing response,” a spokesperson said.

Sydney FC chief executive Adam Santo said he wants his club’s tally to continue to grow. “Women’s football is booming and I’d say to anyone who enjoyed the World Cup fever ‘don’t stop supporting it now’,” he said. “This is a once in a generation opportunity for fans to show their support for our female footballers and I’ve no doubt the momentum will carry forward.”

Sydney FC’s women’s membership package costs $120 for adults and includes access to 11 home games. Melbourne Victory’s costs $60. The Roar’s full women’s membership costs $115, though the club also offers a five-game package for $60.

The league is targeting parents through its free pass for under 16s and registrations have already passed the full-year total for last season. Over 12,300 passes have been claimed in the three weeks since launch, compared to 9,000 for last campaign.

Sign ups are also tracking well at other clubs. Western United, who made the grand final in April in their debut campaign, did not have membership figures available yet, but reported a “huge increase in interest around the women’s game”. The club has already reached more than half of last year’s number of free children’s passes.

Canberra United are on track to break their membership record if sign-ups continue at the current rate. A spokesperson said the club has “certainly seen an upsurge”, and its current count is 528. Other clubs have been contacted.

The season begins on Saturday 14 October. A large crowd is expected for the match at Allianz Stadium between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers. Sydney FC’s men’s memberships start at $305 and include access to all A-League Women games.

The Central Coast Mariners return to the competition this season, having pulled out after just two seasons in 2009 due to a lack of funds. Their derby against the Newcastle Jets on 14 October will kick off the opening round, which is being marketed as a “standalone” round because the A-League Men’s competition doesn’t start until the following week. However, the Socceroos are playing England in a friendly at Wembley early in the morning of the same day.

Header image: [Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters]