A new mural at Ridley Reserve will welcome Panama Women’s National Football team to their World Cup training base

The new mural at Ridley Reserve will welcome Panama women’s national football team who will train there later this month ahead of the Women’s World Cup.

A mural bursting with colour and life has been unveiled at Ridley Reserve ahead of the Panama Women’s National Football team training their later this month.

The Central American team will use the grounds for training as they prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The mural, painted by indigenous artist Scott Rathman, will be a permanent fixture at the grounds to acknowledge people from all cultures who play sport in the area.

“As an Aboriginal artist, we’ve been mark making for thousands of years so this is just an extension of what my ancestors have done,” he said.

Scott Rathman working on the mural. Picture: City of Playford

“I’ve included a sunrise in the design to represent the promise of a new beginning, but also the centrepiece is about being a learning community, as we have people from such diverse communities and there’s so much we can learn from each other.”

Mr Rathman, who grew up in Munno Para, said he has happy memories of the area.

“I grew up in a suburb where everybody knew everybody and if people needed something everyone would help them out and I still see that a lot here today,” he said.

“This is a very strong community where people are constantly learning from the stories of others and bringing their own experiences from far away countries.”

Indigenous artist Scott Rathman and Ashalea Perry with the mural. Picture: Playford Council

An unveiling, completed with a traditional smoking ceremony, was held on Tuesday at Ridley Reserve in Elizabeth.

Playford Council Mayor Glenn Docherty said the mural is a welcome addition to the area and will be a great way to welcome the Panama Women’s National Football team.

“Sport is a universal language that unites us all,” he said.

“Having Panama travel all the way to Playford as part of the World Cup demonstrates how sport transcends language and cultural differences.

“The legacy mural captures this sentiment and represents something we know as a community – that sport touches the lives of long-time and new residents alike.”