Canberra United, the national capital's undefeated soccer team with a cut-price salary cap of $50,000, has been dudded by missing out on live free-to-air coverage of its grand final qualifier tomorrow.
And Capital Football chief executive Heather Reid couldn't be happier. ''The game's in Canberra and I want people to come out, put bums on seats and watch it live at the ground,'' Reid said.
Canberra is the focus of female elite sport this weekend. $10 would barely buy you a couple of cups of coffee. But this weekend a tenna could get you through the gates at Canberra United's W-League semi-final, the Canberra Capitals' must-win WNBL match at the AIS tonight or the Royal Canberra Golf Classic featuring former world No1 Laura Davies until Sunday.
Canberra United, comprising players-cum-childcare workers, public servants, fitness trainers, physios and even a brickie's labourer, is taking a shot at history. United is undefeated this season.
While W-League games have been televised live all year on ABC, tomorrow's semi-final will be restricted to a one-hour highlights package.
There is some consolation in the fact that it is being replaced by live coverage of the Australia v New Zealand women's T20 international.
''I said four years ago when we were first putting Canberra United together that I wanted to follow the model of success of the Capitals on and off the court,'' Reid said.
''The Capitals are a phenomenal club, led by somebody as inspirational as [coach] Carrie Graf. Their success over the years is much better, I think, than the Raiders and Brumbies.''
Have they reached that mark? ''I think we're almost there,'' Reid said.
Graf, who has often spoken of her desire to develop Australia's first truly professional women's sporting club at the Capitals, said this weekend made a huge statement for female sport in Canberra.
''I think the way this city and community supports its women's sporting teams is unique around the country,'' Graf said. ''If the Caps have been part of helping build that in terms of providing a role model and other opportunities for our female sporting teams, we're proud to be a leader in some respects.
''I know some of our players are going to go out and support the United girls [tomorrow]. We like to see the teams that represent our city do well, and their success is great for Canberra women's sport.''
The Royal Canberra Women's Classic, starting today, is the dress rehearsal for the LPGA-sanctioned women's Australian Golf Open in Canberra next year, which will have a $1million prize pool. Although on a lower scale, this weekend's tournament will still include players from the United States, England, Norway, Ireland, Malaysia, France, Canada, Scotland, South Korea and New Zealand.
''Definitely there is a lot more interest in women's golf. I see a lot more juniors [girls] playing and it is really nice,'' Canberra player Nikki Campbell said.
''I think if Canberra can get a few more girls interested in playing that we can develop a pretty good program here.''
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