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We’re kicking off this newsletter with an absolute spoiler. The giveaway at the bottom of our newsletter this week? AFLW GRAND FINAL TICKETS. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. ROCK N SCROLL YOUR WAY DOWN!

We are in full finals spirit. In case you missed it: North Melbourne will play Brisbane in next week’s AFLW Grand Final after it’s one-point preliminary final gripping win over Adelaide (32 to 31!). This means that North Melbourne will host the final at Ikon Park at 2.30pm this coming Sunday. For context, Brisbane won the 2021 premiership, so we’re in for an amazing game. Don’t miss it - it’ll be broadcast on Seven Network, Fox Footy, and Kayo (as well as live streamed on AFL.com.au and the AFL apps).

Other things you may have missed this week: the 2024 Paris Olympics will be the first Olympics ever to achieve numerical gender parity on the field of play, with the same number of female and male athletes participating in the largest sporting event in the world. How good!? We’re already starting to plan our Olympics coverage and will have a reporter on the ground - so 2024 is set to be an exciting year for both female athletes, and women’s sports coverage.

Another thing on our minds this week: a new study found that the abuse of female athletes goes largely unchecked on mainstream social media sites. The study, by the University of Stirling Management School, Chester Business School, Bournemouth University, Durham Business School and the University of Manchester, sheds new light on concerning trends of gender-based violence and toxic fan behaviour on mainstream social media platforms. In light of the comments received on our own Instagram account during the Women’s World Cup, we aren’t even surprised. This needs to change STAT.

Last week, we put this question to our subscribers: 1. Would you be in a relationship with someone who didn’t like sport? 2. Would you date someone who didn’t know who Sam Kerr was? Thanks to everyone who got in touch with their absolute deal breakers (dating someone who doesn’t follow women’s sport? Absolutely NOT). We sat down with Lucille McCart, Bumble’s APAC Communications Director, to discuss recent trends around values, beliefs, and interest in women’s sport.

One final note to end on. Our little team was lucky enough to attend the annual Marie Claire 2023 Women of the Year Awards - and it was incredible to see the Matildas win the award for Champions of the Year. Sam Kerr also picked up the award for Icon of the Year (but to be honest, we’re not surprised). Let’s hope 2024 is full of more female athletes getting recognised, and receiving the attention they well and truly, and have always, deserved.

Chat soon,

Missing Perspectives

PS we absolutely had to give a shoutout to Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis who confirmed their engagement last week - this is our Roman Empire xx

1 in 3 singles say a shared love of sport is a ‘must-have’ in a relationship 

We’re all passionate about women’s sport. That’s why you’re reading this newsletter! But have you ever thought about the link between sport and relationships? 

Dating app Bumble’s newly-released report of dating trends for 2024 suggests next year “is set to be the year of ‘self’ in dating and relationships, with more people looking inwards at what they value and want." It turns out sport plays a pretty big role in that, especially after some massive events that have propelled a greater interest in women’s sports.

Think: the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that took place in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, the Matildas breaking broadcasting records, with a record 11.15 million people tuning into the semi-final, plus the ‘Taylor Swift Effect’ on the NFL - with Taylor’s attendance at a Kansas City game resulting in a 400% increase in jersey sales and skyrocketing audience figures. 

Bumble’s report states that for 1 in 3 singles, a shared love of sports has now become a ‘must have’ regardless of whether you’re a player or simply a spectator – the trend is referred to as ‘Most Valuable Partner (MVP)’. More than half (55%) of profiles on Bumble include a sports interest badge, and it can instantly be a conversation starter in the dating world.

“This is something that people are using to bond over and make connections and get to know each other – [asking] who's your team and who do you support?” Lucille McCart, Bumble’s APAC Communications Director, tells Missing Perspectives. 

“Mutual interests are really important in a relationship. You don't need to have everything in common but going to see a sports game together is a bonding experience.” 

But it’s not just about finding a partner who loves sport. The idea of aligned and shared values comes into play. Many women are after a partner who also has respect for female sports players and their rights to fair representation, pay and opportunities. 

“Something that women are looking for is if you show respect for female athletes – if you've been on board with all of these social movements around the Matildas. That makes you appealing to women as well because women are looking for men that share their values in that way.” 

Click here for the rest of our chat with Lucille. 

"It's very personal to me": Mackenzie Arnold and Audika announce a game-changing global partnership

Mackenzie Arnold has not only become a role model for women around the world but has also established a role for herself as an advocate and ambassador for hearing loss.

In the unlikely chance Mackenzie Arnold is NOT on your radar, let us get you up to speed STAT. The Matildas' Goalkeeper, Mackenzie quickly earned the nickname of Minister of Defence during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup (and you can probably imagine why). She was already the Queen of our hearts, and then this happened.

Aside from the Women's World Cup, Mackenzie's life changed this year when she received her first pair of hearing aids. "I think it was just something in the back of my mind that I was just like, I didn't think I wanted to believe it, but I think it was something [having her hearing checked] that I always knew I probably should get done," Arnold told ESPN. "I think the reality of it: I think in the back of my head I sort of knew that my hearing wasn't great, but I probably just didn't want to accept the fact that I might need hearing aids," she said.

"I always said to the girls: 'No, I'm not getting hearing aids. There's no point getting my hearing checked because I'm not going to get them anyway.' But I think it was the reality of it when she said: 'If you don't get these it is going to get worse.' So, I was almost left with no choice at that point; I wasn't going to keep going and just let my hearing get worse cause that's obviously affecting my quality of life."

A new partnership will see Audika and Mackenzie Arnold working together to destigmatise hearing loss and help more people hear better by encouraging Aussies to get their hearing checked. Audika kicked off the partnership by having Mackenzie fitted with a hearing device at an Audika clinic in Perth. Mackenzie was equally excited about her role to elevate hearing loss among younger and older Australians.

“I’m thrilled to announce my new partnership with Audika today. Hearing loss is something I care deeply about, it’s very personal to me, and I hope to use my voice to inspire Australians to take care of their health and break the stigma around hearing loss. My brother has always worn hearing devices and was a big inspiration for me to get my hearing checked. I hope to be a role model for other kids with hearing loss.” she said.

Full story now on missingperspectives.com

The Giveaway: AFLW FINALS TICKETS

This Sunday, North Melbourne and Brisbane will face off in the 2023 NAB AFLW Grand Final next Sunday at Ikon Park. The match will kick off (pun intended) at 2.30pm AEDT. Want to be there in person and wondering how to enter? Email us at [email protected] with your name, the name of the friend you’ll bring, and who you’ll be going for!

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