FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Matildas train at Sydney Swans new HQ

The Matildas have turned to the Sydney Swans to help prepare for their semi-final clash with England. The new $70 million facilities are hailed as ‘one of the best in the country’.

The Matildas have timed their bid to be peaking come the business end of the FIFA Women’s World Cup to perfection.

Australia is just two games away from being crowned world champions with Wednesday night’s match against England at Accor Stadium looming as one of the most eagerly awaited matches in Australian sports history.

And the Matildas have the entire nation on their side, including the Sydney Swans who have teamed up to help prepare them for the do-or-die match with the old enemy.

With just four days separating their penalty shootout victory over France and their clash with the Lionesses, timing is key to getting their battle-weary bodies up for the fight.

And they’ve turned to one of the best facilities in the country to get the job done.

The Matildas travelled to the Swans’ new HQ at the former Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park for a training session on Monday afternoon.

The Sydney Swans came out in force to welcome the Matildas to their HQ. Picture: Sydney Swans

In total, the redevelopment cost $70 million with a $15 million investment from the Federal Government, $26 million from the NSW government and $6 million from the AFL.

The venue has been purpose-built to accommodate both the Swans’ men’s and women’s teams featuring an indoor training field, specialised gyms and a pool area.

It was a low-intensity session for the Matildas on Monday with the squad using the exercise bikes before putting the icy plunge bath and heated spa to the test. They also used the Swans’ specially designed AFLW change room.

“It was really cool to have them in the facility today,” Lucy McEvoy, Sydney’s AFLW co-captain said.

The Matildas had a dip in the pool. Picture: Football Australia

“The attention they’ve brought to soccer and women’s sport as a whole is incredible and to think that they’re in here with us and doing their own thing, it’s really inspiring.”

The Swans’ new HQ was officially opened by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in June and has been hailed as one of the best professional sporting facilities in the country.

It was a sentiment shared by the Matildas who were impressed with what they had at hand. And starstruck Swans players think the visit of the country’s most in-demand athletes will give them a boost for the upcoming AFLW season.

“Even they were in awe of what we’ve got here,” Chloe Molloy, Sydney’s other AFLW co-captain said.

Matildas using the Sydney Swans facilities. Picture: Football Australia

“It affirms to us that what we’re operating is world-class. Even to have the Matildas through, we’re in awe that they’ve touched the gym equipment that we’re using.

“They’re making waves and smashing any glass ceilings that we had. I think for the AFL Women’s, and for any female sporting code, should jump on the back of the Matildas’ momentum.”

Matildas veteran Tameka Yallop, who scored from the penalty spot in Australia’s dramatic 7-6 shootout quarter-final weekend win over France at Suncorp Stadium, said the squad’s progress under coach Tony Gustavsson had gone to plan.

“For this group, the journey started over two years ago with ‘TG’ coming in and building a group based on his football philosophies and also coming in to what we already had,” Yallop said.

“The timing of everything and all the finer details coming into place, it’s all happening now, which is really the pinnacle and the point that you want it to come together at.

“It’s been a long journey for us and we’re all still focused on that journey, and we don’t want it to end until the very last whistle.”

Tameka Yallop preparing for the semi-final. Picture: Football Australia

Yallop, who has more than 100 caps, said: “Every Matilda that pulls on the journey feels the legacy of the players before.

“There’s been a tight group of players that have grown up playing football together, and they’ve been building football memories since they could kick a ball.”

Yallop mentioned the “never-say-die” mantra that the Matildas swear by as the Australians focused on the task of again beating the European champions on Wednesday night after getting the better of them in a 2-0 friendly win in London in April.

“That was a friendly game and we do take something out of it, but at the same time we’re into knockout games in a World Cup so it’s a completely different game,” she said.

“We won’t let the result of that game ... alter our tournament mode.”

Originally published as FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Matildas train at Sydney Swans new HQ