WAGGA goalkeeper Jada Whyman has hailed the Matildas' historic pay deal as a huge boost for the women's game, and wants to use Western City Wanderers' W-League campaign to keep chasing her green and gold dream.
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Football Federation Australia announced the Matildas, who attracted a team record 20,000 fans for a friendly against Chile in Sydney on the weekend, will enjoy pay parity with the Socceroos in a new four-year collective bargaining agreement.
Whyman, 20, is considered a potential heir apparent to long-time Matildas shot-stopper and fellow Indigenous player Lydia Williams, and toured Europe with the national side late last year.
"It's always going to be a dream of mine to play for the Matildas, whether that comes sooner or further down the line we'll wait and see," Whymansaid.
"It's amazing what the players before us have done and where the game is now. It's a big step not just for us as female footballers, but female sport across Australia.
"It's something the girls have been working towards for a very long time and it's something they deserve because they're full time professional footballers and are really committed."
The Wanderers have gone on a recruiting blitz before Thursday's home season opener against Adelaide, after finishing bottom last campaign with just four points from 12 matches.
The newcomers are headlined by American stars Lynn Williams, Denise O'Sullivan and Kristen Hamilton, and Whyman believes they can contend for a title.
Whyman will have some competition after Western Sydney also announced the signing of Utah Royals keeper Abby Smith on Tuesday afternoon.
"The internationals we've got coming are great additions to the team and I think it's going to be fantastic for what we want to achieve this season," she said.
"In the past we've had our ups and downs in we didn't have the facilities and the support behind us, but this season has come together really nicely.
"Each year we go in having confidence behind us to actually win it. You can't go in second guessing yourself and this time will be no different."
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