Canberra United striker Michelle Heyman says it would be easier to win the World Cup and Olympic gold medals if the W-League season were longer than 14 weeks.
Football Federation Australia and Professional Footballers Australia have set an inquest into a collective bargaining agreement to regulate W-League salaries.
Coaching clinics are a passion for Matildas star Michelle Heyman.Credit:Graham Tidy
Heyman was happy with the recent progress of women's sport but said the FFA was lagging in competition structure and overall salaries and exposure of the W-League.
"If we could have a full season and play more than the 14 rounds, this could be the pathway to winning the World Cup and winning Olympic medals," Heyman said.
"As women, we understand that all of the money comes from the men's league but at the same time I feel like that if we were promoted better or were given double-header game – playing us before the A-League – it would give us more exposure. People who follow the A-League would then start following the W-League. I am really unsure why the FFA is not doing that already.
"One thing FFA need to improve on is spreading the word of the women's league and not just focusing on the Socceroos and the A-League."
Heyman and fellow striker Ashleigh Sykes re-signed with United on Monday.
After the heartbreak of the Matildas' Olympic quarter-final penalty shootout exit, Heyman had her mind set on helping Canberra win its third W-League premiership.
"I am really happy with how I have played over in Rio, and I am hoping to bring all of that back to Canberra United," Heyman said.
"Where my fitness level is at right now it is the best it has ever been, which is crazy because I am 28. My fitness has gotten better as I have gotten older, which is quite strange, but I'm not complaining about it."
Heyman is also aspiring to pursue a career in coaching clinics, public speaking and her love for her newly released fashion label, MH23.
"All of the hard work, commitment and time you have put into the sport, with no outcome it is just heart breaking. I have finally figured it out now that I have to work as hard as I can while i'm performing really well," Heyman said.
"After playing and starting for my country, now I have to work to try and get people behind me to believe in my dream outside of football, which is fashion, clinics and public speaking."