Valentina Mercolli "playing" a little footbal as a FIFA Women's World Cup Volunteer: Photo: courtesy of V. Mercolli

One of the most frequent questions people ask me is, “Why did you apply to become a volunteer for the FIFA WWC 2011?” The customary answer for each of us is simple, “Because football is my passion”. From this then, we’re all in agreement with several more phrases that could also be added: “Because I love being part of a team and meeting a lot of new people” and “Because I would like to live an unforgettable experience”.

Soccer game at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1985, Public domain photo of the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center, UW-Madison Libraries

We’re now one game into the World Cup for the United States and already the conversation has drifted from the team’s play on the field to how they look while playing on the field.  Specifically I’m speaking of the uniforms team U.S.A. is sporting and how they look a lot like nurse’s uniforms.

I think that the United States has done wonders in setting an example for woman’s rights throughout our history. In 1972, there was the enactment of the landmark legislation Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 . The federal law essentially granted girls and women in high schools and universities the right to equal opportunity in sports by banning sex discrimination in either academics or athletics.

The Matildas' captain and goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri, here in action during the Australia vs. Germany match in Wolfsburg October 28, 2010, Photo: (c) picture-alliance / Annegret Hilse

Australia goes into the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup full of confidence, following their victory at last year’s AFC Asian Cup in China. As continental champions, there is now an expectation on the Matildas to not only reach the knockout stage, but to progress further in the tournament.

Australia coach Tom Sermanni leads the team to its fifth consecutive World Cup finals appearance, his third in charge, after achieving their best ever result in the 2007 tournament in China. On that occasion, the Matildas progressed to the knockout stage following draws against Canada and Norway, and a victory over Ghana, but were eventually beaten by Brazil in the quarter final stage.