Moreton Bay Regional Council will fast-track an $18 million upgrade to South Pine Sports Complex

Queensland will be home to a new $18 million “state-of-the-art” women’s football facility in time for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Find out where it will be and which club will call the new grounds home.

A southeast Queensland council will fast-track the construction of a new $18 million women’s football facility in hopes it will be used during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – set to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

FIFA announced Australia and New Zealand would host the anticipated World Cup on June 26.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery announced on Friday the Women’s Centre of Excellence and Youth Academy would be built at South Pine Sports Complex at Brendale, north of Brisbane.

It is already home to multiple sports clubs including rugby league, Aussie rules, football and an indoor sports centre.

South Pine Sports Complex at Brendale will be home to a new $18 million women’s football facility and academy by 2023.

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Mayor Flannery said the council would fast-track the project with hopes it would be used during the major international event.

It will add to the existing multimillion-dollar sporting facilities in the region including Dolphin Stadium, Nathan Road Sports Precinct, the yet to be built Griffin Sports Complex and Kinsellas Sports Complex.

“The new football precinct will be kitted out with a high-performance facility, clubhouse and fields ready for the 2023 season, which will support some of Australia’s best players in their tilt at World Cup success with the Matildas,” Cr Flannery said.

“The facilities could be used to host elite sports players and international teams for major events like the upcoming World Cup and if we’re successful in a 2032 southeast Queensland Olympics bid.

“This is also massive news for local businesses who will have a whole new wave of visitors flocking to our region for regular youth tournaments and events.”

When not being used for major international sporting events the new facility will become the new home base for Brisbane Roar’s W-League squad and academy.

A concept image of the new $18 million women's football facility to be built at South Pine Sports Complex. IMAGE: SUPPLIED

What the new $18 million women's football facility and academy at South Pine Sports Complex could look like when built by 2023. IMAGE: SUPPLIED

It follows Cr Flannery stating earlier this year he was looking to entice Brisbane Roar’s men’s side to the region, following a dispute with Logan City Council.

Brisbane Roar W-League captain and 125-time Westfield Matilda Clare Polkinghorne said it was another momentous development for women’s football.

“The development of this new facility in the Moreton Bay region is terrific news for both the Brisbane Roar Women’s team and football in Queensland,” Polkinghorne said.

“Striving to be the best and at the top of the [Westfield] W-League is a core component of Brisbane Roar and to have a state-of-the-art facility to call home will only help us achieve those goals.”

Natasha Dowie of the Victory controls the ball in front of Clare Polkinghorne of the Roar during the round two W-League match the between Brisbane Roar and the Melbourne Victory at Dolphin Stadium on November 21, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

Brisbane Roar Academy General Manager Warren Moon said the new precinct was an exciting opportunity for the club, the Moreton Bay region and young footballers across the state.

“We’re a two-star elite academy and what we have coming is something we can all be excited about – it will be one of the best academy setups in the country,” Moon said.

“It’s really exciting not only for our players, but for all young footballers in the state to have something to aspire to.”

One of the most promising Roar W-league players Indiah Riley is from the Moreton Bay Region.

There have been several W-League clashes played in the region at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium in the past few years including the including a 2018/19 semi-final.