Never Say Die Matildas to be screened this weekend
Never Say Die Matildas follows the Australian Women’s Football Team during a rollercoaster year in which, against all odds, they become one of the nation’s most successful sporting teams.
Never Say Die Matildas follows the Australian Women-s Football Team during a rollercoaster year in which, against all odds, they become one of the nation-s most successful sporting teams. From missing out on a spot for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing to making the quarter finals in the FIFA Women-s World Cup China 2007, the resilient team, coached by Tom Sermanni, fought to the bitter end on the field and represented Australia with tremendous pride.
Never Say Die Matildas will screen on SBS on Saturday June 7 at 9.30pm, and is an up-close and personal account of the passion, dedication, sacrifice and skill required by these players to perform at an elite level.
Women-s football is the fastest growing sport in the world, yet prior to the FIFA Women-s World Cup China 2007, the Matilda-s had only won one from sixteen matches at an Olympic and Women-s World Cup level. Their loss to North Korea in a qualifying match to play at the 2008 Olympic Games was a blow. The players were distraught and despite the condolences of friends and family, they found it hard to understand that "it-s only a game". For these girls football is more than a sport, it is their life.
Never Say Die Matildas goes behind the scenes as the team prepares for their next challenge, the FIFA Women-s World Cup China 2007, and follows several key players on and off the field.
Melissa Barbieri is one of the the first females to play in a senior Australian Men-s competition. Goalkeeping for Victoria-s Richmond Eagles, Melissa cops a bit from the crowd but is committed to perfecting her game. Her husband Geoff supports her every step of the way, and they are happy to put their plans for a family on hold. Rising star Sally Shipard had to carefully balance footy with school, completing her HSC while playing for the Matildas overseas; Sarah Walsh lives and breathes football and is delighted that her parents are making to trip to China to watch her play; Novocastrian Cheryl Salisbury is Australia-s most capped footballer. It is her leadership that is integral to the Matildas- success and she provides some historical context throughout the team-s campaign.
The self-proclaimed "Soccer Chicks" depart Australia with high hopes. The program features highlights from the Matildas- games against Ghana, Norway and Canada and their quarter-final against Brazil. The archetypal Aussie-battler spirit is embraced by the team as they constantly come from behind in their matches. The filmmakers- unprecedented access to the team through their historic journey gives the viewing audience a rarely seen insight into the lives of elite female athletes.
Director-s Statement - Helen Barrow
One of my personal challenges as the director of Never Say Die Matildas was to make a documentary about women-s football that would attract a broad audience beyond football fans.
Although the documentary deals with a woman-s team that competes in a FIFA Women-s World Cup, it is also a story about courage, dedication and adversity. These are universal themes to which any audience can relate.
The players were an impressive group to deal with on a daily basis during our shoot. They range in age from sixteen to thirty-three-years but are a unified unit with a common goal motivated by their desire to succeed in football. They have an uncanny ability to motivate themselves and provide support for each other. While this might sound like normal fare for any competitive team, these women manage to do this while studying or holding down full-time jobs. The players have to train in between and find the fortitude to stay dedicated despite the Matildas- poor record at international events.
Following the Matildas to the FIFA Women-s World Cup China 2007 was a rollercoaster journey for both the team and the filmmakers. Would they win a match? Would we have a story to tell? Luckily, for the team and for Australian football, they made history and we found ourselves a great story to tell.
I hope the audience will come away from this documentary having experienced a kaleidoscope of emotions. At the same time I hope they respect the tough challenges confronting these women. Finally, I hope the younger audience of girls who love football, find a player who inspires them.
Biography - Peter Scobie Producer
Peter Scobie is a producer at the independent production company Essential Viewing. His past short films as a producer/director have screened at film festivals throughout Australia and the United States. Previous factual projects include Johnny Warren-s Football Mission (SBS), Neil Perry-s High Steaks (Lifestyle Channel) and most recently Is Your House Killing You? (SBS).
Biography - Helen Barrow Director, DOP, Writer
Helen Barrow has worked as a cinematographer, director and producer for documentaries since the early 1980-s. For ten years during the 1980-s she worked as a cinematographer for ABC TV, among her credits is the first series of Bush Tucker Man. From 1990, Helen has worked as an independent producer, director and camera person. Recent credits include Kick Fighters (National Geographic), Six Degrees - Perth (Lonely Planet/ Discovery/SBS), Hired Assassins (FFC/ABC-TV), Operation Baby Lift (Film Australia/SBS) and The Post (Film Australia/ABC-TV).