Matildas paid tribute with bronze statue at Suncorp Stadium

The team that captured Australia’s hearts will be immortalised by the end of the year with a special tribute in one state.

The Matildas will be paid tribute with a bronze statue at Suncorp Stadium by the end of the year. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

The Matildas are set to become immortalised, as a permanent statue will be put in place before the end of the year.

The team made a significant mark on Australia last year, as it seemed the whole country watched with bated breath during the women’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

We banged our fists when Sam Kerr was taken out with an injury and cheered loudly with every goal saved by Mackenzie Arnold.

Now, a permanent cast bronze bas relief statue will be put up in Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium before the end of the year as a testament to the team’s achievements during the World Cup.

The statue comes after the Matildas’ World Cup semi-final against England was the most watched event in Australian television history. Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Sport Minister Michael Healy said the statue would stand to “inspire future generations”.

“Queenslanders rode the unbelievable high of the quarter-final penalty shootout win over France, lifting the roof off the best football stadium in the country,” he said.

“Around Australia, we were united behind this fantastic team. They made us all incredibly proud.

“The tribute may be a snapshot of a moment in 2023, but that moment will now live forever and inspire future generations of young footballers to take on the world.”

Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman also spoke to the inspiration the Matildas have sparked, likely for generations to come.

“They are inspiring women and girls to become more active and get involved in organised sport and it is fantastic that their efforts will be recognised with a permanent tribute,” she said, noting she “can’t wait” to see the statue.

“The Matildas brought the country together through their performances and had a profound impact on our sporting landscape.

Sam Kerr was treated like a rock star during the World Cup. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

“In a nation that loves its sport, the Matildas were not only the most watched team on Australian television in 2023, their semi-final against England was the most watched event in Australian television history.”

The statue, which will measure about 6m wide and 2.5m tall, has been commissioned to Brisbane-based company Urban Art Projects (UAP).

The business was established in 1993 and will draw on their 30 years of experience to create a “high quality” statue “capturing an iconic moment of celebration from the tournament”, according to UAP associate Paul Gurney.

“As a fiercely proud Brisbane company established in 1993, we are honoured to be selected to deliver this legacy of the Matildas’ inspiring Women’s World Cup campaign,’’ he said.

“UAP acknowledges the significant global recognition Brisbane and Queensland received during the Women’s World Cup. As a successful global company, established in Brisbane, UAP shares this passion to celebrate our city and state with the rest of the world.”

The company will use both robotic and handcrafted techniques to “achieve the players’ likenesses in bronze”.

“The bronze casting will be produced entirely at our Brisbane workshop and draw on the diverse expertise of our artisan handcrafted project management, digital design, patternmaking, advanced robotics, foundry and finishing,” Mr Gurney said.

Former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a statue would be built after the team’s success last year.