The Ticket Podcast

The final episode of The Ticket takes a broad look at the future - of the Olympics, of Australia's place in the world game of football, of the rise and growing power of the athletes' voice and of Oscar Pistorius - a former icon of Paralympic sport who is soon to be released from jail after serving his sentence for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Sport's role in a turbulent world - how the Palestinian men's team represents more than football, the role of dialogue in trying to find peace, India's influence at the ICC and its adhoc approach to membership, plus is sport for refugees authentic or an exercise in celebrity humanitarianism?

Women compete, women win but when it comes to High Performance coaching in Australia, less than ten percent are female. The AIS has a plan to turn that around between Paris 2024 and Brisbane 2032. Plus, FIFA's new online safeguarding course that might be valuable for all sports from grassroots to elite.

The Paris Olympic organisers have been told by Tahiti locals at the reef break where surfing will be contested that a planned judging tower is a threat to the ecosystem, unnecessary and non-negotiable, plus Afghanistan cricket's challenge, the place of women's football in Iran, and the rise of PNG rugby league.

Members of Australia's ping-pong diplomacy team from the 1970s, who helped paved the way for diplomatic relations between Australia and China, are returning to Beijing this week marking 50 years since Australia's first embassy in China was opened, plus the role of diplomacy in Australian sport, and the emergence of AI in global sports integrity investigations

As the humanitarian crisis continues with the Israel-Gaza war, we go in search of those who use sport as a tool for peace and speak to others who measure their success.

A small country of big thinkers, Denmark influences sport in many ways - from applying political pressure on non-democratic nations hosting big events, to anti-doping research, and even providing a home away from home for a former Matildas captain.

The Matildas' history making, record breaking World Cup ends with a 2-0 defeat to Sweden in the 3rd place play-off, while England and Spain duel to lift the trophy for the first time.

Once the whistle blows ending the final of the FIFA World Cup between Spain and England, what's in store for the women's game - the Australian government has already promised a $200 million investment in women's sports in Australia, and the FIFA president says it's time for stakeholders to step up.

The Matildas are determined to end their World Cup campaign on a high, when they take on Sweden in the 3rd place play-off, while two-time World Cup winning coach Jill Ellis reflects on the tournament's success.

England has continued its charge at the World Cup, beating Australia 3-1 to earn a place in the final against Spain. Now the Matildas turn their attention to Sweden for the 3rd place play-off.

Spain locks in a place in the finals, whilst England and Australia battle for the final spot tonight.

Spain locks in a place in the finals, whilst England and Australia battle for the final spot tonight.

Spain will play Sweden in the first semi final game of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The Matildas dream run in the World Cup continues, after a heart stopping penalty shootout victory over France in the quarter-finals. They'll now play England in the semi-finals. Matilda number 171 Laura Brock says this is a turning point for women's football in Australia.

There are new horizons for global sport - the FIFA Women's World Cup has shown us new talent, new countries challenging old, so much built on the previous success of the USA who continue to innovate, AND the Matildas have made history at home.

Spain outlasts the Netherlands and Sweden knocks out one of the form teams Japan, to set up a semi-final showdown, while the Matildas prepare for their quarter-final encounter with France.

The first of the quarter-finals get underway in Aotearoa New Zealand, with Spain facing the Netherlands, and Japan taking on Sweden in a powerhouse match.

France have booked their place in the quarter finals, with a 4-0 win over Morocco.

Australia progress to the next round of the FIFA Women's World Cup, as Sam Kerr makes her first appearance of the tournament.

The USA's title defence has ended abruptly, and the Matildas prepare for their first knockout game against Denmark.

Spain puts five goals past Switzerland, and Japan outlasts Norway to progress to the quarter-finals, while the round of 16 action moves to Australia.

The round of 16 kicks off in Aotearoa New Zealand, with Switzerland facing Spain and Japan taking on Norway. ABC's National Sport Reporter David Mark and New Zealand sports reporter Ash Tulloch look ahead to all the action.

The FIFA World Cup is giving us a snapshot of a changing world with underdogs rising while the mighty are falling, plus Natalie Portman on the world's most unique football club, Angel City FC, and the Matildas - then and now.

Morocco progress in their first every Women's World Cup with South Korea and Germany knocked out.

Jamaica sends Brazil packing after a scoreless draw, ending the career of one of the greats - Marta, South Africa makes history, and Colombia, Germany, and Morocco play for their place in the knockout stage.

The round of 16 spots firm up in the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Australia's dominant win over Canada secures the team's place in the knockout stage of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Can the Matildas keep their Women's World Cup dream alive against Canada? CBC Sports' Shireen Ahmed shares her thoughts, and Morocco and Colombia claim stunning wins.

David Mark speaks to Swedish journalist Frida Olssom in Aotearoa New Zealand, as Sweden shows its best, and France wins a pulsating clash against Brazil in Australia.

From a feature interview with the FIFA Secretary General, to tales of unlikely success and celebration from the Philippines and Nigeria, and marking the return of the Australian Matildas captain, The Ticket has the FIFA Women's World Cup covered.

Kelen Silva shares the history of women's football in Brazil, including the decades long ban, and England and China claim important wins in group D.

Nigeria top Group B after handing the Matildas' their first 2023 world cup defeat.

The Matildas battle injuries as they prepare to face Nigeria in their second world cup match.

Philippines' victory makes Group A a tight competition, USA hope to hit their stride in their title defence, and Canada prepare for a must win game.

The underdogs at the World Cup make everyone stand up and take notice, Matilda number 162 Servet Uzunlar gives her insights on the Matildas, and a female Afghan footballer has a message for FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

David Mark and Ash Tulloch reflect on the start of the Women's World Cup in Aotearoa New Zealand, Euro 2022 champion England starts with a tough win over debutant Haiti, and Denmark steals a late winner against China.

The Athletic's Meg Linehan dissects the USA's opening match of the FIFA Women's World Cup with David Mark, and American supporters revel in the 3-0 win over Vietnam.

The science of genetics tells us who we are, but what else influences who we can become - Collingwood captain Darcy Moore joins Olympic and Paralympic table tennis player Melissa Tapper, and leading geneticist Professor Kathryn North in front a live City of Melbourne audience.

The Matildas have opened their FIFA Women's World Cup campaign with victory over the Republic of Ireland, without their star striker and captain Sam Kerr.

The FIFA Women's World Cup in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia is finally here, and it's a tournament expected to break new ground and leave a lasting legacy.

This week the European Court of Human Rights found that the state of Switzerland discriminated against intersex athlete, Caster Semenya; Dr Payoshni Mitra supported her challenge and responds to the decision which she says 'brings a ray of hope while challenges remain'.