The Matildas may have lost the FIFA WWC semi-final, but they have won in Australia’s heart. Making room for Australian women’s sports in a male-dominated industry.
Female Aussie athletes are finally getting noticed, with prime minister Anthony Albanese announcing 200 million worth of much-needed funding for women’s sports across the country.
Now that the spotlight is on our female sports stars like Sam Kerr, where do Australian women’s sports rank worldwide in 2023?
The Matildas when they won against France in the FIFA WWC quarter-final.
(Image: Getty)Women’s Netball Australia: ranked number one
The Diamonds rank number one against the world. Not only winning the first, the second, the fourth, and the most recent sixth Netball Commonwealth Games.
But also winning 12 out of 16 World Cup games since the inaugural World Championships in 1963!
You can catch Australia’s number-one ranking in the world Netball team at the next Commonwealth games in 2026 and the Netball World Cup in 2027 on home soil!
Australia celebrates winning during the Netball World Cup Medal Presentation at Cape Town.
(Image: Getty)Women’s Cricket Australia: ranked number one
Take that England, our Australian Cricket team is ranked the best in the ICC’s Women’s ODI Rankings.
Beating our arch enemy the Brits with 4,290 points to their 3, 875 points.
You can watch the world’s best female Cricket team at the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Australia bowler Ashleigh Gardner celebrates the final wicket of Danni Wyatt to win the match during day five of the LV= Insurance Women’s Ashes Test match.
(Image: Getty)Women’s Hockey Australia: ranked number two
It’s not talked about enough that the Australian women’s Hockey team ranks number two in the FIH Women’s World Ranking, just behind the Netherlands.
Our best results are first in the 1998, 1996, and 2000 Hockey Olympic Games. First in the Hockey World Cup in 1994 and 1998. And first in the Hockey Oceania Cup in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2013, 2015, 2017, and as recently as 2023.
You can catch the Australian women’s Hockey team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Australia celebrates after winning the shootout during the Women’s FIH Field Hockey Pro League semi-final match in 2019.
(Image: Getty)Women’s Surfing Australia: ranked number two
Considering Australia has the best beaches in the world, it’s not a surprise we won in surfing!
Tyler Wright ranked number two in the 2023 Women’s Championship Tour. This means we automatically qualify for 2024’s surfing Championship.
You can watch Australian female surfers at next year’s Championship Tour.
Two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright of Australia placed runner-up in the 2019 lululemon Maui Pro 2019.
(Image: Getty)Women’s Basketball Australia: ranked number three
Considering most of our agile stars are stolen by Netball, ranking third in Basketball is amazing. We were only beaten by the United States and China (where netball isn’t popular.)
We won against Canada in the FIBA Women’s World Cup third-place game in Australia 2022, 95 to 65 points!
You can catch Australia’s number three ranking in the world Basketball team at FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 in Berlin.
Australia players take a selfie during the trophy presentation ceremony in 2023.
(Image: Getty)Women’s Swimming Australia: ranked number three, four and five
Although Canada and the United States may have taken out the top spots, we should be proud to take home third, fourth, and fifth.
Ariarne Titmus has ranked number three, Kaylee McKeown has ranked number four and Emma McKeon has ranked number five in women’s swimming and we couldn’t be prouder!
You can watch Australian female swimmers at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Ariarne Titmus of Australia competing in Women’s 800m freestyle on Day 15 of the Fukuoka 2023 World Aquatics Championships.
(Image: Getty)Women’s Tennis Australia: ranked number three/112
The Australian Open is famous across the world, where famous Tennis players battle it out to be number one.
You have Aussie Storm Hunter to thank for the number three spot in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings for doubles! With Australian Kimberley Burrel the underdog to look out for in the WTA 112 single spot, but not for long at the next WTA match.
You can catch Australian female Tennis players at the US Open from the 28th of August to the 10th of September.
Kimberly Birrell of Australia celebrates during her first round match against Asia Muhammad of United States in 2023.
(Image: Getty)Women’s soccer/ football Australia: ranked number four
How could we not put in the Matildas, who did us proud by making it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final for the first time ever?
We have never placed fourth in the FIFA WWC before, and we can’t wait to see what we get next time!
You can cheer on the Matildas at the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.
With the AFL announcing equal prize money for men and women, we are excited for what’s to come in Australian female sport.
