Almost 40 years before the Matildas became household names, the Australian women's soccer team played its first official international match.
It was October 6, 1979. Julie Dolan, then 18, was captain.
"I remember it clearly. I printed out brochures to try to get people to come," said Dolan, of the Central Coast.
About 50 people attended, many of them family and friends of the players.
"For us, it was massive. You're in green and gold, playing an international match. You're playing for your country and that's everything," she said.
In her day, players' mums sewed Australian emblems onto their gear. https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6222583/where-it-all-began-for-the-matildas/?cs=14264