Darwin: Matildas and Socceroos could call the Top End home

The interest comes as the Territory shatters its player registration numbers and its new elite player program makes its waves. Read why the green and gold could call Darwin ‘home’.

Hot weather and a stone’s throwaway from Asia makes Darwin a “perfect” base for the Matildas and Socceroos, says a Football Australia representative.

FA Head of Member Federation Relations and Community Will Hastie revealed there was continued conversation to bring professional matches to the Top End, but also use Darwin as a launch pad for the national teams.

“Getting the Socceroos and Matildas here at some point would be something that’s definitely not out of the questions at some point in time,” he said.

“We know this can be a perfect training base for our national teams and the challenge they have for World Cup qualification in Asia.”

Mr Hastie said the tropical north and easy access to Asia offered strong possibilities for the green and gold.

“The climate is perfect for some of the challenges that our teams face in Asia for both junior and senior footballers and that’s a unique opportunity that they don’t get in many other places around Australia,” he said.

“It’s easy to get them here and even for training camps or junior tournaments with South East Asian nations it’s again easy to get them here.”

Climate and distance to Asia could make Darwin become an ideal home base for the Matildas and Socceroos. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Hastie’s visit to Darwin coincided with the announcement that Football Northern Territory had shattered its player registration numbers, with a 45 per cent increase with the season yet to kick off.

FNT President Stuart Kenny hailed the increased interest.

“We have seen significant growth in male and female registrations, but the interest in the female programs is the highest we have ever seen and with junior competitions starting next weekend, we can’t wait to see all of the newcomers to our game out on the park.”

Mr Kenny said the surge followed the success of the Matildas incredible World Cup run which drew millions of viewers across the nation.

“Our Mini Tillies program in March, another new initiative attracted over 100 participants in Darwin and Alice Springs, highlighting the ongoing popularity of our sport.”

North Australian Football Academy getting ready to train. Picture: Harry Brill.

Elite player pathways have also become inundated with football fanaticism, with the North Australian Football Academy responsible for dozens of boys and girls across various age groups.

Coach Nick Theo said NAFA – established less than a year ago – offered a training and playing experience of “much greater scale” than at your common club.

“The structure here gives much more professional level training to the kids – more hours, more intensity, better equipment, and coaches with better resources,” he said.

Coach Peter Pizanias said NAFA players would train and play up to five days a week – an opportunity not previously offered through FNT.

“If we want to be realistic, it’s really hard to make it and its very thin percentage points that make the difference in making it or not.”

Mr Hastie said the depth and quality of Territory football had improved.

“(The Territory) has put in place an academy program here that has a long term vision and I’m watching the kids train here which (FNT) hopes in the next two or three years there will be Northern Territory participants going to national title competitions,” he said.

“It’s fair to say this wasn’t the situation two years ago when I came up and football certainly wasn’t to the depth and quality that it is now.”