Matildas pair sign on to Common Goal

Alex Chidiac and Aivi Luik have become Australia's first female footballers to join Common Goal, the football movement which sees participants agree to donate a portion of their salaries to charity.

Alex Chidiac (L) and Aivi Luik Source: AAP

While female footballers earn significantly less than their male counterparts, that hasn’t stopped the 20-year old Chidiac – fresh off winning the Spanish league with Atletico Madrid – and the FIFA Women’s World Cup-bound Luik from giving to those less fortunate.

Formed by Manchester United winger Juan Mata, the movement is looking to tap into the football industry to drive charitable causes by having signatories commit at least one per cent of their earnings to the project.

The charity has so far raised US$1.4 million (A$2.023 million) and now counts more than 100 members.

Sydney FC’s retiring icon Alex Brosque became the first Australian footballer to commit to Common Goal back in October 2017.

Midfielder Luik, 34, said as proud as she was to be representing Australia on the global stage next month against Brazil, Italy and Jamaica, she couldn’t help but think of those doing it tough at the same time.

“Just as I have experienced the growth of the women’s game during my career, I want to be part of this innovative movement that is tackling social challenges through the power of the sport we all love, regardless of our gender or how much we earn,” Luik said.

“As I head to France with Australia this summer, it’s fantastic to be able to join another team in global soccer, Common Goal, and unite behind the shared goal of creating positive impact through the sport.”

Former FIFA Council member Moya Dodd, who became the first female administrator to sign on with Common Goal – and now serves as the independent chair of its management committee – said she was pleased to add two such high-profile ‘recruits’.

“At a time when women’s football is on the rise in Australia, this shows how much our game means beyond the pitch, and beyond our shores,” Dodd said.

“I’m delighted to see more Australians – and especially our Matildas – joining Common Goal. We are a nation that believes in the power of sport, so it’s a perfect fit for Aivi and Alex to be part of a player movement that supports football programs as a tool for social change.”

Common Goal has already been hailed as one of football’s most influential movements, with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin joining top male players like Kasper Schmeichel, Mats Hummels, Giorgio Chiellini and Shinji Kagawa, plus Bundesliga coach Julian Nagelsmann, in signing up within three months of the organisation’s launch in August 2017.

But female players have been just as determined to make a difference as their male counterparts. After American superstars Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan led the way, they were soon followed by dozens of others.

Only last week did 15 members of Canada’s World Cup-bound squad commit to the project, meaning 50 per cent of the movement is now female.

“The gender balance of the Common Goal team is remarkable,” Dodd said.

“Our women players are committed to playing their part despite the enormous pay gap they face in football.

"And our male players are very active in supporting football programs with gender equality at their heart. This solidarity towards our common goal is our hope for a better, fairer world.”