Kiwi players hope World Cup will leave lasting legacy in rugby-mad homeland

ADELAIDE : The Women's World Cup has drawn record crowds in co-host New Zealand, with early concerns about ticket sales in the small island nation that predominantly supports rugby long forgotten.

But will the tournament leave a lasting legacy on New Zealand after teams have packed up and camera lights been dimmed?

Ben Bate, head of women's soccer at Auckland United, said clubs must play a role in getting more eyes on the sport, either in person or online.

    "A lot of it is engagement from the clubs and the federation - I think that's key," Bate said. "The more we can get on TV ... Obviously streaming is a great thing but having access to that and having the kids know where to find all those different leagues. So many different leagues. Knowing which one to find is a struggle at times."

New Zealand will have hosted 29 matches over the course of the tournament, including the Football Ferns' thrilling 1-0 victory over Norway, New Zealand's first World Cup win in six appearances.

Spain's 5-1 win over Switzerland in the last-16 drew 43,217 fans to Auckland's Eden Park, the most fans to watch a soccer game - male or female - in the country.

Half of the tournament's 32 teams were based in New Zealand, often sharing training facilities with local clubs.

"I think (women's soccer) has a really bright future," said Caleb Ward, interim women's coach at Western Springs Association Football Club, who hosted Norway. "To see New Zealanders start to embrace it is really cool, and hopefully we get the knock-on effect of more people participating."

Charlie Dunn, a centre-back for Western Springs, said she has to actively promote soccer to her friends.

"Especially girls' football, you have to promote that a lot over boys football, rugby or