Former Matildas star Tracie McGovern insists she has NO regrets over posing for controversial nude calendar in 1999

Former Australia star Tracie McGovern has insisted that she has no regrets over her look in a nude calendar 24 years in the past.

The Matildas made headlines all over the world in 1999 when numerous their gamers posed topless in a bid to draw funds and a focus forward of the Olympic Video games in Sydney. 

‘It was primarily in regards to the profile,’ McGovern, now 45, who missed out on the Olympics by harm, instructed BBC Sport. ‘We needed to get bums on seats on the Video games, however I do not suppose any of us anticipated the eye that we received.

‘Lots of people knew me as Miss January.’ 

Alongside McGovern’s solo shot is a private message during which she attributes her success to the help of her family and friends. 

A former Matilda has insisted she has no regrets over posing for a nude calendar in 1999

Tracie McGovern mentioned that she selected to function to assist increase the Matildas’ profile

The 45-year-old insists she has no regrets over the calendar, though a few of her teammates nonetheless bear a sense of disgrace in regards to the challenge

‘I had a good time, though the crew shot was a little bit awkward,’ she says. ‘All of us had our robes on, we received into place after which we threw the robes off, had the photograph taken after which scrambled to get them again on.’ 

Again within the Nineteen Nineties, nude calendars have been a standard fundraising instrument, though the Matildas did cop criticism from some corners for the challenge, with some shocked at simply how bare the gamers have been. 

‘There have been some feminists that felt that we had offered out,’ she says. ‘I completely respect that opinion and never all the crew took half within the calendar photoshoot. I did it for my very own private causes. After which I did it for the larger good of the crew. I feel we achieved that goal.’ 

McGovern, who’s a part of a gaggle of former gamers concerned within the Australian delegation for the event, added that she agreed to participate as a result of she needed to defy sexist attitudes in the direction of girls footballers.

‘As a younger child rising up enjoying soccer, lots of people made feedback about my physique as a result of I am athletic,’ she says.

‘I had footballer’s legs. I did not wish to be ashamed of my athletic physique any extra, so what higher option to announce that and say ‘right here I’m’? That is me bare. That is my bare reality.’

Former Matilda Amy Taylor poses with a nude photograph of herself from the 1999 challenge

Ex-Matilda Bridgette Starr poses bare for the calendar, which drew criticism for simply how bare it was

Whereas McGovern has chosen to spoke freely in regards to the calendar, she admits that a few of her previous teammates nonetheless bear a sense of disgrace in regards to the challenge. 

‘It was controversial, however once more we received folks to go to our video games and we received the title on the market. Might now we have accomplished it another approach? I am undecided,’ she says.

‘I actually hope that individuals will begin to embrace that a part of historical past and do not feel shameful about it.’

Quick ahead 24 years and the situations skilled by the present crop of Matildas is much improved from that confronted by McGovern’s cohort. 

‘We did not have the funding and the infrastructure round us that they do at this time,’ she mentioned.