Penrith resident Teigen Allen has just finished her W-League campaign with Melbourne Victory and been selected in the 23-player squad to travel to France.
Teigen isn’t new to the spotlight; she made her debut as a 16-year-old against Vietnam at the Asian Cup, and now at 25-years-old she will be entering her second World Cup for the Matildas.
Teigen has proven herself both domestically and in the international team that she can compete with the best female players in the world.
The W-League was introduced by the Football Federation Australia (FFA) in 2008, with the inaugural season to be 2009/10.
There were 10 teams introduced into the newly found professional women’s domestic competition with nine of those clubs associated to an A-League club, with the other women’s club based in Canberra.
Growing up in Western Sydney, Teigen began playing football at 3-years-old with the Lakemba Lions Football Club. It was evident very early that she had the ability to be competing on the world’s greatest stage.
“When I started to understand football and knew I wanted to build a career in football, I was fearless and believed I could accomplish whatever I put my mind to,” Teigen said.
“I would never leave anything on the field, training or games, so people couldn’t have an excuse not to select me – nor could they criticise my game.
“When I took my boots off I was satisfied knowing I had given everything possible.”
Teigen stopped playing in mixed teams from 8-years-old when she was selected to play representative football for Nepean FC U12 Girls. Selection in the representative phase of her young career allowed her to take the necessary steps in opening an opportunity for herself to play professionally and have a career in football.
Teigen is a strong equal rights advocate for women in sport in Australia, and is pleased that growth for women in sport is heading in the right direction.
“Women’s sport has grown so much over recent years,” she said.
“It is continuing to grow; with youth participation numbers, equal pay in some sports and contracts that allow women to be full time professionals.
“I strongly believe women should be 100 per cent equal to the men when it comes to opportunities, media coverage and the pay gap.
“We still have so much more to develop in women’s sport in Australia, but we are on the right path.”
The continued development in equality for female athletes in Australia has made some ground, especially in the last decade. The introduction of the W-League has been a benefit to Teigen as she has been able to showcase her hard work and dedication. This has led to her selection in the Women’s World Cup squad.
Teigen spoke about the long road she has taken to get to France and how she will treasure every second spent with the Matildas at the World Cup.
“I was in and out of the team over the past couple of years and missed out on the past World Cup and Olympics. I have gone through some pretty tough times with football and an ankle reconstruction that kept me out for nearly a year,” she said.
“I have come to realise football gives me a feeling nothing else can fulfil.
“It was a tough road to get back to where I am now, but every second was worth it. I had a goal to be here and I wasn’t going to stop at anything.
“I put the hard yards in and pushed myself and now I’m just embracing every second and living in the moment.
“Representing my country feels like it is everything I’m living for. I appreciate every moment with the National team and will cherish these moments for the rest of my life.
“I have achieved a lot with football, but this is by far more meaningful than any achievement, as the road to be where I am now has shaped me and made me realise how much I wanted it and how hard I worked to be where I am.”
Teigen expanded on her passion for steering young women in the right direction and the continued growth of women’s sport in Australia.
“When I speak to young women I always tell them that if they want to be a professional, they must work for it. Nothing good comes easy. Focus on your goal and do what it takes to reach it,” she said.
“I think we need to appreciate and recognise how far we have come and our accomplishments. It’s growing and will continue to do so.
“The recognition of women in sport in Australia has allowed for the growth and continued development we are able to see today.
“I strongly believe that one day in Australia we will see equality between male and female athletes across all sporting codes.”
The development and introduction of the W-League 10 years ago was a significant impetus for recognition of female athletes in Australia. It was a gateway for the continued growth of women’s sport in Australia and levelling the inequalities female athletes face. Teigen recognises that her opportunity may never have arrived if it wasn’t for the introduction of the W-League and strives to see the youth of Australia succeed in sport.
The Exponential Rise of Women’s Sport in Australia 