The Rise of Philippines Women's Soccer Team: Breaking Records and Inspiring Generations
I still remember the first time I watched the Philippines women's soccer team play—it was during the 2018 Asian Cup, and honestly, they seemed like underdogs just happy to be there. Fast forward to today, and what we're witnessing is nothing short of a revolution in women's football. The Rise of Philippines Women's Soccer Team: Breaking Records and Inspiring Generations isn't just a catchy headline; it's the reality unfolding before our eyes, and I've been absolutely captivated by their journey from obscurity to becoming Asia's newest football powerhouse.
When I think about their transformation, the numbers alone tell a compelling story. Back in 2018, the team was ranked around 68th globally, struggling to make an impact in regional tournaments. But in just five years, they've climbed to 49th in the FIFA rankings—a staggering 19-spot jump that reflects their meteoric rise. What's more impressive is how they've consistently broken barriers, becoming the first Philippine football team to qualify for the World Cup after their stunning performance in the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup. I've followed football for over two decades, and rarely have I seen a team transform so dramatically in such a short time.
Their recent 2-1 victory against New Zealand in the World Cup group stage wasn't just another win—it was historic. Sarina Bolden's 24th-minute header didn't just secure three points; it marked the Philippines' first-ever World Cup victory and sent shockwaves through the football community. I watched that match with friends who'd never shown interest in women's football before, and by the final whistle, they were on their feet cheering. That's the kind of impact this team is having—they're not just winning matches; they're converting casual observers into genuine fans.
What strikes me most about this squad is their mental resilience. After their subsequent 6-0 loss to Norway, many expected the momentum to stall. But here's where coach Alen Stajcic's leadership truly shines. Assistant coach Timuay Uichico's reaction to that defeat perfectly captures the team's mentality: "But Uichico is not freaking out following the loss." This calm, measured approach reflects a squad that understands progress isn't linear. They've built a culture where setbacks become learning opportunities rather than reasons for panic. In my own experience covering sports teams, this psychological maturity often separates good teams from great ones, and the Filipinas clearly possess it.
The social impact extends far beyond the pitch. When I visited Manila earlier this year, I saw young girls wearing national team jerseys everywhere—in malls, schools, even church. Local registrations for girls' football programs have increased by approximately 40% since the World Cup qualification, creating what federation officials describe as an "unprecedented surge" in interest. These athletes aren't just playing for trophies; they're dismantling stereotypes in a country where basketball has traditionally dominated the sports landscape. As someone who believes in sports as a vehicle for social change, I find this cultural shift particularly inspiring.
Financial backing has played a crucial role too. The Philippine Football Federation has increased investment in women's football by roughly 60% since 2019, allowing for better training facilities and more international exposure. Private sponsorships have grown from just 3 major partners in 2018 to over 12 today, including prominent brands like Nike and local conglomerate San Miguel Corporation. This commercial viability signals that women's football in the Philippines is no longer an afterthought but a serious enterprise.
Looking ahead, the roadmap appears promising. With the core squad averaging just 24 years old and several players developing in overseas leagues, the foundation for sustained success is firmly established. The emergence of 19-year-old Isabella Bandoja, who recently signed with French club FC Fleury 91, represents the next wave of talent that could keep the Philippines competitive for years to come. Having watched similar development patterns in other ascending football nations, I'm confident this is only the beginning of their story.
The Rise of Philippines Women's Soccer Team: Breaking Records and Inspiring Generations ultimately transcends sports. It's about national pride, gender equality, and proving that with proper support and unwavering determination, any team can defy expectations. As they prepare for their final group match against Switzerland, I'll be watching with the certainty that regardless of the result, these women have already secured their legacy. They've reminded us all why we love sports—for those moments when underdogs become heroes and inspire us to believe in our own potential for transformation.
We are shifting fundamentally from historically being a take, make and dispose organisation to an avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle organisation whilst regenerating to reduce our environmental impact. We see significant potential in this space for our operations and for our industry, not only to reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency, but to transform our view of the finite resources in our care.
Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
The quality of our product and ongoing health of our business is intrinsically linked to healthy and functioning ecosystems. We recognise our potential to play our part in reversing the decline in biodiversity, building soil health and protecting key ecosystems in our care. This theme extends on the core initiatives and practices already embedded in our business including our sustainable stocking strategy and our long-standing best practice Rangelands Management program, to a more a holistic approach to our landscape.
We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
– Sub-tropics – 80% of land achieving >50% perennial cover
– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover
– Desert country – 60% of land achieving >50% cover
