The only people who knew us were within the soccer community, and compared to what it is now, it was very small. But what the calendar did was put our name out there. We may not have been competitive internationally as we are now, but people knew who we were. I really hope that people will start to embrace that part of history and don't feel shameful about it." 'Not your bum again mum' A group of veterinary students at the University of Sydney posed naked for a cheeky and charitable calendar photo shoot. Ferguson-Cook was one of around 15 players (including some who didn't participate in the calendar at all) who travelled to Perth to film the toothpaste commercial.

Thus the idea of a Matildas nude calendar was born. The team needed funds and they wanted recognition. A Women's Institute from the heart of rural Devon recreated the naked images made famous in the film Calendar Girls - but there's a terribly British twist! This is not about adults making decisions about how to market themselves; it is something very different."The third-year veterinary students got frisky in the shoot with strategically placed kittens, puppies, piglets and horses for the calendar to raise funds for the Australian Red Cross. The idea of stripping to raise money for charity, ahem, took off after the Women's Institute in Yorkshire launched an alternative calendar in 2000. For many of the current Australia squad, the 1999 calendar will be a story from beyond their living memory. McGovern thinks it's a sign of how far the game has progressed. It's a pretty bold thing. There could have probably been other things suggested to be done, but if you want to make a statement, that's definitely one way to do it." Some say it emerged during a boozy player party earlier in 1999, with a couple of squad members then approaching AWSA CEO Warren Fisher privately with their suggestion in the sober light of day.

The 22-year-old told CornwallLive: "I thought this would give us something to remember. I thought it would be a good team effort. There were a few people who were a little bit wary, but I think it surprised me how most people were quite happy to sign up for it. We all pitched in and had a bit of fun."

It's a point in time. It's something that has a bit of historical significance for the team, whether you like it or not, whether you agree with it or not.