The A-League Women has not done enough to capitalise on the Women's World Cup and needs more investment to keep top players in the league, Sydney FC star Cortnee Vine says.
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As a Matildas player, Vine is one of few full-time professionals in the elite domestic competition, with most juggling football careers alongside work and study.
The 26-year-old winger hailed the improved crowds post-Women's World Cup, but said: "We could have done heaps more - more investment, more professionalism".
"There's coaches that are still not full-time. We're not technically full-time," Vine said after Sydney FC's 1-0 grand final win over Melbourne City on Saturday.
"I'm in a different boat to the other girls, I'm Matildas as well.
"Financially, I'm in a different position. But the other girls, they're part-time still.
"There's still a (long way) to go with that. More investment needs to happen. More professionalism.
"It will grow, but post-World Cup was the perfect time for people to (say), 'I'm going to invest in women's football and see where we go'.
"I'm hoping for that over the next few years."
The Matildas' penalty shootout hero at the World Cup, Vine said her profile had helped attract attention to the ALW.
"But to get players with big profiles to come, more investment needs to come," she said.
"The girls aren't going to come for less money than what they're on overseas."
Vine pointed out how her fellow Matildas' opportunities in competitions such as England's Women's Super League (WSL) and the US National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) made staying in Australia unfeasible for many.
"We're competing now with the WSL, the NWSL. (The US) have a new league coming in the (United Soccer League)," Vine said.
"We're now competing with three big leagues because we've gone from a 12-week competition to (26 weeks, including finals).
"We are fighting against them to get players to come here.
"Sam (Kerr), Alanna (Kennedy), everyone that is over in the WSL - they're getting paid great money, they're professional. It's what everyone wants.
"No one's going to come (to Australia) unless that's what it is. Nothing happens until we invest more."
Player of the match Mackenzie Hawkesby urged the league to work harder to ensure top players stuck around, while Sydney FC coach Ante Juric called for more investment from the Australian Professional Leagues and governments.
Midfielder Shay Hollman, 18, is reminded every day of the disparity between the men's competition and the women's.
Her older brothers Jake and Corey play for Macarthur and Sydney respectively.
"The main thing would be pay, 100 per cent. They're full-time, we're part-time," Hollman said.
"But it's also the standards, the staff, the facilities, everything.
"The goal is for that to improve so we can get on a balance with them. The game would grow from there."
Australian Associated Press
