Why are Australia’s women’s football team called the Matildas?

LIKE many clubs, Australia's women's football team have adopted an offical nickname.

They are now known as ''the Matildas'' - but this wasn't always the case.

Why are Australia called the Matildas?

When Australia qualified for their first ever World Cup in 1994, the women's football team were then known as "The Female Socceroos".

However, Australia's Special Broadcast Service and the Australian Soccer Federation decided to run a viewer competition to find a new nickname for the team.

The five options were, The Soccertoos, The Blue Flyers, The Waratahs, the Lorikeets or The Matildas (named after a famous Australian song - Waltzing Matilda).

Despite initial reservations from the players, The Matildas was the winner and has remained the club's nickname to date.

What is the 'Waltzing Matilda' song?

As mentioned above, The Matildas were named after the famous Australian song 'Waltzing Matilda'.

The song, which is developed in the Australian style of poetry and folk music called a bush ballad, has been described as the country's "unofficial national anthem".

The original lyrics were composed in 1895 by Australian poet Banjo Paterson, to a tune played by Christina Macpherson. 

However, in 1903, Marie Cowan changed some of the lyrics and wrote a new variation of the tune.

The song quickly grew in popularity and Cowan's arrangement remains the best known version of "Waltzing Matilda".

What other women's teams have nicknames?

Nicknames are an integral part of some sports - and of course football is no exception.

From England's Lionesses to Columbia's Las Chicas Superpoderosas  - here are just some of the women's teams and their nicknames.

• England - The Lionesses
• South Korea - Taeguek Nangja
• Argentina - La Albiceleste
• Germany - Die Nationalef
• Brazil - Las Canarinhas
• Italy - La Azzurre
• Panama - Las Canaleras
• Vietnam - ‘Golden Girls’ or ‘Golden State Warriors’
• Haiti - Les Grenadieres
• China - Steel Roses
• Zambia - Shepolopolo or Copper Queens
• Philippines - Filipinas
• New Zealand - Football Ferns
• South Africa - Banyana Banyana
• Nigeria - Super Falcons
• Denmark - De rod-Hvide 
• Jamaica - Reggae Girlz
• Morocco - Atlas Lionesses
• Netherlands - Oranje Leeuwinnen 
• France - Les Bleues
• Japan - Nadeshiko 
• Colombia - Superpoderosas or Las Cafeteras - the Powerpuff Girls or the Coffee Growers

Similarly, Canada has also adopted a number of nicknames, such as the Reds, Maple Leafs, Northern Girls and Snow Birds - but despite numerous names, nothing has stuck permanently.