Matildas, Socceroos greats throw weight behind Brisbane 2032 stadium vision

Matildas and Socceroos greats have joined forces to make a last-minute push for a new stadium at Perry Park, as the 100-day review of Brisbane 2032 infrastructure reaches its final stages.

Fifteen Queensland Socceroos, Matildas and Brisbane Roar greats – including Clare Polkinghorne, Matt McKay, Scott McDonald and Mackenzie Arnold – signed a letter from the Professional Footballers Australia players’ union.

“Australia has been proven to experience considerable growth in football participation upon the hosting of major international events,” they write.

The state government has rejected a petition calling for a mid-size stadium, such as this Football Queensland vision, at Perry Park in Bowen Hills.Credit: Populous

The players cited the “unparalleled success” of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, which attracted record-breaking television audiences and in-stadium attendances.

“Queensland is now proudly home to the second-largest outdoor football participation in the country, and also the second-highest in female participation,” they write.

They also note the 20 per cent national participation growth following the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, which was won by the Socceroos, who recently marked that triumph’s 10th anniversary.

“However, as was the case following the hosting of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, there was no meaningful legacy to the game of football in the state of Queensland,” the players write.

“While the Asian Cup was a huge success on and off the pitch across four states and territories, Queensland was the only state that did not reinvest the financial windfall of the event into the development of football.”

Football Australia chief executive James Johnson, who last week revealed the lack of an appropriate venue in Brisbane had resulted in the city missing out on next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup, said the stadium development was vital for the sport.

The players’ letter of support follows the joint Football Queensland and Football Australia submission to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s 100-day review of Olympic venues and governance.

Perry Park’s 1960s-era grandstand packed to the rafters for a recent Brisbane Roar A-League Women match.Credit: Brisbane Roar

In that submission, the governing bodies called for a tier 2 stadium to be built – preferably at Perry Park – with a boutique capacity of 17,000.

Football Queensland chief executive Robert Cavallucci said they were proud of the case they put forward and were “thrilled” to have the players’ support.

“The feedback received from government to date has been reassuringly positive, with our submission quality praised, including a subsequent request for further information, and we look forward to the outcome of the 100-day infrastructure review report, to be released later this month,” he said.

Brisbane Roar chief executive Kaz Patafta said Brisbane 2032 was a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for the sport.

“The development of a tier 2 stadium at Perry Park will not only provide Queensland with a world-class venue, but also set the foundation for Brisbane Roar’s future as the state’s sole professional football club,” he said.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie received the draft findings of the report – which reportedly included a recommendation for a main stadium at Victoria Park – last weekend.

A final report is due next weekend, with Premier David Crisafulli set to announce his government’s venue plan at a business lunch on March 25.

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