The Guardian · US news · Original story
With a little bravery and these big swings, AFLW can enjoy more magical crowd moments | Sarah Guiney
The AFL could borrow some of the gumption from a North American ice hockey league to grow Australian rules football’s elite women’s competition
In Australia, it is called the Matildas effect. Elsewhere, it has increasingly become known by a different name: business as usual.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League is one of several North American competitions making a habit of not only attracting spectacular women’s sports crowds, but doing so at a domestic level. Just three years into its existence, the ice hockey league is doing a mighty fine job of it too, with last season’s attendance up 71% on their inaugural campaign.
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Sarah Guiney · Fri, Aug 7, 2026, 8:00 AM
US news | The Guardian
The AFL could borrow some of the gumption from a North American ice hockey league to grow Australian rules football’s elite women’s competition
In Australia, it is called the Matildas effect. Elsewhere, it has increasingly become known by a different name: business as usual.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League is one of several North American competitions making a habit of not only attracting spectacular women’s sports crowds, but doing so at a domestic level. Just three years into its existence, the ice hockey league is doing a mighty fine job of it too, with last season’s attendance up 71% on their inaugural campaign.
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