Explore The Matildas’ Journey Toward Acclaim and Equality

For a few weeks the Matildas’ performance in the Women’s World Cup held the country in rapt attention. The team went deep in the competition and their never say die attitude won over many new fans and inspired an entire generation of girls, and boys, to get involved with soccer.

Now in the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the doco Trailblazers celebrates the rise of Australian women’s football. Featuring current Matildas stars, including inaugural captain Julie Dolan, Sam Kerr, Steph Catley, Mary Fowler and Ellie Carpenter, Trailblazers showcases the rise of women’s football, the team’s success and its fight for equality.

A Stan Original documentary, Trailblazers has school resources available for grades five to 10 so students can dive into the cultural phenomenon surrounding the Matildas.

Based on the film, the 15 free lesson plans tackle themes of gender equality, media bias, and representation through the lens of the Australian Women’s Football Team’s trailblazing successes.

The film will be shown in classrooms across the country alongside the educational resources while the impact campaign aims to inspire students to “Blaze a Trail” and take action for gender equality in sports and beyond via the Trailblazers website, www.trailblazersfilm.com.au

The lesson plans were developed by Cool.org in collaboration with Documentary Australia, MECCA M-POWER and Equity Trustees. These resources aim to promote gender equality in sports and beyond, empowering students and teachers with impactful and inspiring stories.

"At a community level, girls are participating in sports at significantly lower levels than boys, and we hope the stories in the film and accompanying resources inspire a new generation to participate in and support women's sports," says Documentary Australia’s Impact Director, Lisa Kanani.

"The Trailblazers film and the Cool.org resources present positive and inspirational role models to students. This initiative stands to make a lasting impact on students and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society," says Thea Stinear, CEO of Cool.org

Trailblazers is a Stan Original documentary by Savage Films, Milestone Films and LM Films production by director/producers Maggie Miles and Maggie Eudes and producer Lucy Maclaren.