Plan for Matildas’ World Cup achievements to be honoured with Suncorp Stadium statue

A permanent shrine to the legacy of the mighty Matildas will be built at Suncorp Stadium, with the state government offering to fund a statue for the nation’s newest sporting heroes.

A permanent shrine to the legacy of the mighty Matildas will be built at Suncorp Stadium, with the state government offering to fund a statue for the nation’s newest sporting heroes.

And it will be the latest history creating moment for the team with the statue to be first representing female athletes at Lang Park, joining those dedicated to rugby league greats including Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga and Arthur Beetson.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed the state government will support and co-ordinate the installation of a statue to celebrate the extraordinary success of the Matildas at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and their impact on women’s sport.

But it will be up to Football Australia to determine the best way to depict the team’s achievement.

No timelines nor budgets have been outlined by the state government, though a statue of North Queensland Cowboys immortal Johnathan Thurston outside Townsville’s premier stadium was understood to cost less than $100,000.

The Matildas have reached new heights in this year’s World Cup. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Ms Palaszczuk said the Matildas had created history, with the team’s performance setting new benchmarks for sport while capturing hearts and inspiring a nation.

Nearly half of the Matildas squad — or 10 players — for the 2023 world cup are Queenslanders.

“They are role models who will inspire thousands of girls to pick up a football and play the game,” she said.

“It’s only fitting that we recognise all they have achieved with a permanent tribute.”

Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said the statue would be a “permanent reminder” for children as they enter the stadium that they “can do and be anything”.

Rugby League great Wally Lewis’ statue. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Rugby great John Eales with his statue outside the stadium. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) N

“The Matildas have had an incredible impact on and off the field and what better way to acknowledge their achievements,” she said.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, and these sportswomen have made huge strides for women’s football and for gender equality more broadly.”

The meteoric rise of the Matildas in the consciousness of Australians has sparked calls, including from the team, for governments to inject serious funding into improving facilities and standards for women in football.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday announced a $200m cash splash on women’s sport through the new “Play Our Way” program to fund improvements to sporting facilities and equipment.

Guidelines for the program are in development with applications expected to open in early 2024.

But in a bid to distance themselves from the “sports rorts” scandal of the previous government, an “advisory panel” of four former elite female athletes will be set up to provide guidance.

Former Matilda and Olympian Tal Karp, who retired from football to focus on her law career, was selected for the panel alongside decorated Paralympic wheelchair racer Maddie de Rozario, netballer Liz Ellis and basketballer Lauren Jackson.