So after being in hibernation for close to eight months, we will finally get the chance to watch the Matildas in action in June and July. 

From the media release, and upon speaking with coach Tom Sermanni, the internationals against current World Champs Japan and frenemy New Zealand highlights the new (and much welcome) paradigm in Australia women's football. 

You see for the first time Sermanni has to contend with what Socceroos coaches have been dealing with for the last 15 years; squad selection headaches. 

With several first team players abroad, Sermanni has been forced to choose two different squads; a home based one for the two game New Zealand series and a international based squad for the one off Japan fixture.  

At this moment Australian female footballers are a red hot commodity and, by the time the internationals are played, the Matildas will have at least 10 players plying their trade overseas.  I know in the scheme of things it doesn't seem much, but considering the numbers a few years ago it's pretty much an exodus! 

Just last week two more Matildas (Kyah Simon and Tameka Butt) jetted off to begin stints overseas and there were yet further announcements of signings with overseas clubs.  So why the love affair with Australians?

Well there are many reasons for this.  Culturally Australian footballers are generally a good fit wherever they land.  Not only are they hard workers but, as one club official said, they are "low maintenance". 

Another reason is the coaching.  We have some very good coaches in the women's football system.  Jeff Hopkins (Queensland), Alen Stajcic (NSW) and Vicki Linton (Victoria) to name just a couple and of course Sermanni at the top.  In comparison to the rest of the women's football world, the footballing education our players receive is very good. 

Although it's not perfect, and there is definitely still room to improve, there is a reason why many American players return to the W-League season after season.  Again the best endorsement is a head coach stating "The most comforting thing for me is when I get Australian national team players I know they have been coached by one of the best."

But the most exciting reason (for me anyway) is the technical quality of our exports.  For so long our players were described as "big", "strong" and "physical". Although not necessarily bad things, we did need to evolve.  During the World Cup I saw the shift in perception first hand.  Now there is talk about the skilfulness of our players and their football acumen and that can be directly attributed to our move into Asia (thanks Uncle Frank). 

In the rapidly changing world of women's football, physicality now only gets you so far.  To even be competitive in the AFC, Australia has had to improve the technical ability of our footballers and the new generation are light years ahead of their predecessors at the same stage.  Just have a look at some of the goals Emily Van Egmond has scored and of course the prodigious talent that is Caitlin Foord.  Combine that with the inherent physical attributes Australian footballers possess and it's easy to see why they are in demand. 

But what about the players themselves?  Why do they head abroad?  Unsurprisingly it's definitely not for the money!  As noted by Matildas player manager Bill Drossos.  "Everyone thinks that there is much more money overseas and there is not.  They are going for international exposure and experience."

And what an experience it can be.  Recent W-League Golden Boot winner Michelle Heyman and Brisbane Roar's Aivi Luik suited up in a Women's Champions League quarter-final against Lyon, who are arguably the best women's club side in the world.  And their team Brøndby are currently battling it out with Leena Khamis' Fortuna Hjørring for the Danish Championship. 

Meanwhile Lisa De Vanna took on the likes of Marta in the Swedish league (which her team won for the record!) and up and coming Matilda Emily Gielnik will be getting experience against the best in England in the FA Women's Super League. 

On the whole, we should expect to see more and more Australian footballers pack their boots head abroad.  While its excellent for many footballing reasons (and gives me something to watch during the W-League off season) it will mean future headaches for Sermanni and Co.  Ultimately it can only be good for the Matildas and Australian women's football.