The new Home of the Matildas was unveiled on Monday, ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this month.
The soccer-specific infrastructure project was the largest in Australian history and will now host The Matildas as they prepare for their World Cup ‘Send-Off Match’ against France at Marvel Stadium on July 14.
It comes as the biggest investment ever made in Australia by government for a soccer project, with $42.29 million from the Victorian State Government and $15 million from the Federal Government. This was part of a bigger $101 million investment from the state government into the La Trobe University Sports Park.
The facility will feature two state-of-the-art hybrid turf pitches, two FIFA-grade synthetic pitches (with another to be constructed later this year), twelve change rooms, a fully-equipped gym, medical facilities, modern wet recovery areas, function rooms, coaching development spaces and an 800-seat grandstand.
Hopes of a second stage of development will see more seating and community facilities constructed.
Formally opened by Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, who says the venue will not only be used by the current elite players but for also moulding the future.
“This facility will provide a training base in Australia for the likes of Sam Kerr and Steph Catley, but more importantly it will help to develop the next generation of champions inspired by this year’s Women’s World Cup,” he said.
Football Victoria aspire for the facility to become the best female-focuses facility in Asia, with the ultimate goal of achieving gender equity in football by 2027.
It will not just the Matildas using the venue, as thousands of community players will have the opportunity to train and play on the fields, creating an easier pathway from grassroots to top level soccer.
“This precinct has the power to drive tangible change in our game. We’re thrilled to unveil this precinct to our football community, a place we can all call home, where the lofty ambitions of our female football family will be supported like never before,” said Football Victoria President Antonella Care.
Football Victoria Head of Marketing, Engagement and Legacy Mandy McCarter says they hope the precinct “becomes a symbol of empowerment, opportunity, and equality” and that “it sends a powerful message to the world that in Australia, we value and celebrate female talent and achievement.”
The world will get a look at the precinct when it hosts the Jamaican Women’s National Football Team during the World Cup.
