Luciane Lauffer
There was still broad daylight when the 9pm match in Grenoble kicked off. Jamaica vs Australia played their final group match in front of a crowd of 17,402 people at the Stade des Alpes, nested in a beautiful park in the city. This is my first Women’s World Cup, but my fourth FIFA event experience since the Men’s U20 in Canada in 2007. From my previous events around the world – and always an insider, as a Media volunteer, I can say that there is a different feeling at the women’s event.
Perhaps one can start saying that the women’s tournament is more inclusive than the men’s, and that’s from various angles. Try to get a men’s World Cup ticket for less than $50 and only a few weeks before the event: impossible! In this championship, tickets for the group matches started at the price of €9 for general seating, and then from €13 for the Round of 16. You may want to feel more of a VIP and pay a bit more for them or premium for the final, but both opening and closing match were sold out early – mostly to USA supporters.
The crowd is also very different. Just outside the stadium, a group of school children in their uniforms waited anxiously to be allowed to get in. Many families – mothers and fathers with their children, elderly people, all excited to be taking part in this experience. These are compositions that one barely sees at men’s World Cup.
Before the match, I met other Australian supporters and learned about their different journeys to France. Anne-Marie and her husband came from Normandie, where they live when not in Australia, after being invited by other Australian friends.
Other ones were Geoff and his teenage daughter, Hayley, who had been traveling by car since the beginning of the tournament to follow the Matildas and other matches. Hayley is a football player in her State League while her dad is an enthusiast for the game.
Such family-friendly environment did not pass unnoticed. The hotel manager where I was staying told me that it was the first time she had gone to a football match, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. In a French accent, Helene said that she noticed many families there and that the match itself was different from the way the men play: “in the men’s game, it’s all about being feisty, aggressive”.
The city of Grenoble also organized a Fan Fest just outside the Stade des Alpes Stadium, with games for children, but very little for adults. Also, there was very little merchandise. This could be one of the points for improvement for the upcoming world cups as it was also a problem four years ago in Canada. Unfortunately, many people didn’t even know this space existed. Still the bag checks and security at the door, reminding me of Brazil and Russia, although only about half of security personnel waiting for us to get in. I did not stay long.
Also, the other point for improvement is visibility – or should I say investment? Unless one is aware that the event is happening, there was very little advertising in tourist spots and transportation (one of France 2019 sponsors). There were no large banners either around Grenoble, which have been typically present in the event in Brazil and Russia. The number of volunteers is also considerably smaller.
But perhaps one of the most pleasant things about the Match Day event is the absence of ‘kilometers’ of the so-called exclusion zone that exists in men’s World Cups. For some security reason, the perimeter surrounding the stadium becomes a pedestrian-only area, which makes people with disabilities and low mobility face a hurdle of what is meant to be a fun day. Both in Brazil and in Russia, anyone coming to the stadium would have to wait until the free buses – when they start to operate and from specific points – arrive to take you from point A to B, which is still a reasonable distance to the stadium. Any other unaccredited vehicle is sent back. It is at least about a kilometer to reach the gates and also need to display valid tickets. The same happens when you leave the stadium. That does not exist in the women’s game.
Jamaicans came in large numbers, actually larger numbers than I had predicted. Their colors – yellow, green and black, got mixed with Australia’s green and gold. However, the French crowd, in its majority, offered their support too, displaying that they were definitely keen to cheer the game.
Australia won 4-1 against the Jamaicans, which put them through the Round of 16, but Jamaica remained the last in the Group C. It was a beautiful event that, once again, made apparent the superiority of the Australian team. And by superiority, I mean in terms of player development, access to funding and preparation. Jamaica did not make it easy and managed to score their only goal in the competition. It was their first time in a World Cup, but the Reggae Girlz will be thoroughly remembered for their achievement.
