Caitlin Foord has thrown her support behind a historic plan which bridges the pay gap between Australia's top male and female footballers.
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Football Federation Australia and Professional Footballers Australia struck a landmark four-year agreement on Wednesday that will see the Matildas and Socceroos receive a 24 per cent share of generated revenue in 2019/20.
That figure will rise by one per cent annually during the four-year deal.
Foord said the chance to be paid equally with the men's team was a "massive step, not only in Australian football but football in general for women".
"It's really cool to see we've been the first ones to take that leap," the Shellharbour product said.
"To have that support from the Socceroos within this agreement is amazing. It shows they value us as much as we value them. We are together as one country moving forward.
"It's obviously amazing for us, but hopefully it also helps other countries to push their federation to take that leap as well. I guess maybe some other countries have lacked that support from their men's teams.
"We prepare, train and do everything the same as what the men do. The FFA have taken a step in showing that with this agreement. A massive thank you to the PFA, they're the ones that have driven this and helped get the job done."
We prepare, train and do everything the same as what the men do. The FFA have taken a step in showing that with this agreement.
- Caitlin Foord
Having created off-field history, the Matildas' focus will now shift to Saturday's friendly game against Chile at Bankwest Stadium. The two sides will meet again on Tuesday in Adelaide.
It's an opponent that conjures up fond memories for Foord - she scored a hat-trick against Chile in Newcastle last November.
"I was lucky enough to find the back of the net three times. It was good for my confidence not long after coming back from an injury. I was back in the national team and scoring goals," the 24-year-old said.
"We played Chile twice last year. We lost the first game and then won the second. It was obviously mixed emotions after losing the first one, but the second game was like we almost redeemed ourselves. I think that was the first times we'd played Chile and it was a new challenge.
"We've got a bit more information on them now. Heading into these games, we want to make a statement - we don't want to start on the back foot this time. We want to get two wins."
Foord was just 16 when she made her Matildas' debut in 2011. The talented forward has now played more than 70 games for her country and has become a key figure in the side.
"I've been in the Matildas squad a few years now," Foord said.
"[It was about] feeling my way into the team, just being where I'm needed and knowing my role within the team. It comes with experience.
"The majority of us have grown up playing together with the Young Matildas and under-17s.
"The core group of Matildas have been around since 2011 or 2012, so we've been together a long time now."
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