Originally published: Mirage News, 17 March 2026
Allianz Australia has today released new research, which shows that 68 per cent of surveyed Australians have faced adversity over the past twelve months, with key drivers among adults surveyed being financial pressures (44 per cent), issues with physical health (30 per cent) and lack of confidence in physical appearance (26 per cent).
In the face of this adversity, these Australians are looking to positive role models to stay motivated. The CommBank Matildas provide motivation, with 44 per cent of respondents saying that watching the team reminds them that persistence can overcome adversity, and more than half (56 per cent) of young Australians saying they’re inspired by the players to want to keep trying, even if something is hard.
Among younger surveyed Aussies (aged 10-17 years), nearly half (49 per cent) said they feel stressed and worried about schoolwork, performing well in tests, and when doing homework, with almost a third (30%) also feeling pressure to do well in sport or other activities. Yet, by looking up and supporting the Australian Women’s football team, one in three (34 per cent) young Australians say the players help them feel braver on tougher days.
The research was commissioned by Allianz Australia and conducted by Pureprofile from 11th-16th February 2026, surveying a national sample of 1,019 Australians aged 10+ years who are fans of the women’s national football team, The CommBank Matildas. In particular, the study surveyed young Australians aged 10-17 years (n=179) and adult Australians aged 18+ years (n=840).
