Optus launches groundbreaking Matildas TV show

Optus Sport have launched a new women's football TV show hosted by former Matildas star Alicia Ferguson Cook.

Ferguson Cook will host the show, titled 'Women's Football Oz Style' every matchweek to focus on the Matildas playing in the English Women's Super League.

It's a groundbreaking moment for women's football in Australia, with the FAWSL focus due to Optus Sport's coverage only of English football, and not the W-League.

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The success of it, and Optus' other programs in a similar vein, may go some way to deciding whether Optus may one day become interested in broadcasting the Australian domestic leagues, given Fox Sports' desire to dump the competitions.

Women's Football Oz will focus on a behind-the-scenes look at the life and journey of the Aussie women who play in it.

“We’ve got eleven players and two coaches featuring in this year’s competition, which means we have a terrific opportunity to showcase some of our homegrown stars to an audience that is truly passionate about topflight football,” Ferguson said.

“The WSL is not only the best women’s football league in the world but also one of the fastest growing, to be able to provide a dedicated program to a football mad audience, is something both the league and Optus Sport should be extremely proud of.

“I’m looking forward to chatting to the likes of Sam Kerr, Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord to discuss all things football and share their journey in the WSL with our Optus Sport subscribers.

“The a girls have already made a mark in week one of the competition, so there will be plenty to talk about in this week’s episode.”

The program will feature on Optus Sport every matchweek on Thursday nights at 8pm, AEST.

“You’ve got some of the best footballers in the world turning out for the Women’s Super League, so it made sense to continue to extend our coverage for our Optus Sport subscribers,” Optus Sport's head of content, Corin Dimopoulos said.

“Optus Sport subscribers love their football, so we saw this as a great opportunity to provide greater awareness and interest in the competition and share the amazing journey and lifestyle that our Aussie footballers and coaches lead overseas.”

“As the home of premium football in Australia, we know Optus Sport plays a key role in helping grow the Women’s game both here in Australia and around the world.”

“We hope girls and boys across Australia will watch the likes of Sam Kerr and Hayley Raso competing in the world’s best women’s football league and be inspired to realise their dreams of playing topflight football."