Matildas are Melbourne bound as national side sews up $80m deal to make southern capital home
After years of venue-hopping, the Matildas are to call Melbourne home, with the national football side’s relocation “to really put women’s football on the map”.
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Melbourne will become the new $80 million home of the Matildas.
The national women’s football side has been desperate to find a regular base and aims to set up home in Victoria by 2022 in the lead up to the 2023 World Cup.
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Seven Victorian councils are now vying to win the bid to build the $60-80 million government-funded facility, headlined by a 2000-5000 capacity boutique stadium.
The Matildas, in Melbourne to play Argentina on Wednesday night, are regularly drawing 10,000-plus crowds to their games.
Matildas vice-captain, Melbourne-born and bred star Steph Catley said it was the ideal location to house the national team.
“As the sporting capital of Australia, I couldn’t think of a better place than Melbourne to have a dedicated home for the Matildas,’’ Catley said.
“It would be great knowing that we could have our own place to come together as a squad, to train and prepare for big matches and major tournaments. It would really put women’s football on the map.”
Captain Sam Kerr declared that a regular home, after years of venue-hopping, was crucial for the progression of the rapidly-growing women’s game.
“It would be an amazing thing for the Matildas to have their own base and somewhere we can call home, and to know it’s ours so we can get the best out of not only the Matildas but of the Young Matildas,’’ Kerr said.
“It will be fantastic for young girls growing up and striving to train with the best — that can be the place for us to grow and become the world’s best team.”
Football Victoria has launched the proposal to establish the national ‘Home of Football for the Matildas’.
Brimbank, Darebin, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Casey and Greater Shepparton Councils have all lodged applications, along with La Trobe University, whose formal submission is part of redevelopment plans at its Bundoora campus.
“It’s an exciting initiative for the women’s game in Australia and would serve to inspire the next generations of female footballers who dream about following in the steps of their heroes,’’ FV president Kimon Taliadoros said.
“Certainly, a dedicated facility would go a long way towards helping Victorian football meet our stated objective of 50:50 participation between males and females by 2027.”
FV chief executive Peter Filopoulos said the move signals how far women’s soccer had come.
“It shows that football can lead the way when it comes to promoting and supporting women’s sport, and it’s about recognising the increasingly important place that women’s football is forging on the national sporting landscape,” he said.
The Matilda’s play Wednesday night’s World Cup send off game, the final Cup of Nations clash against Argentina at AAMI Park.
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