Attending the first ever Global Women's Football Convention in Paris ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup, Independent Chair of the FFA Women’s Football Council Ros Moriarty had the chance to see where Australia was placed amongst other women's football nations. 

Despite making steps towards better supporting female footballers and the recent landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which will see W-League players paid the same minimum hourly rate as A-League players, Australia is falling behind the rest of the world.

"I think we're actually losing ground," Moriarty said

"I think that there is a new focus and strong leadership from FIFA and within Europe, the UK, and US and it's definitely been on display on the field during this World Cup.

"The FA has undertaken a very intensive three year period with very strong leadership and focus throughout the organisation on women's football."

That focus has seen seven new sponsorships being signed by FA in the last nine months. Specifically, with Barclays, which is a multi-million-pound multi-year deal as the title sponsors for the FA Women's Super League.

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The deal also supports the FA Girls’ Football School Partnerships, which is a nationwide scheme to help develop girls’ access to football at school.

It was a landmark deal for the commercial development of English women’s football. 

When asked what Australia needs to do to match nations such as the US or the UK, it was a relatively simple answer.

"I think it's partly learning from a global situation where there are potentially more resources on offer, more opportunities to play and there's more football," Moriarty said.

"In Australia, we need a timelined, benchmarked and measured roadmap, a 10 year one that is specific to growing women's football across every part of the game.