‘You owe us a stadium’: Soccer stars’ message to Games’ bosses

Matildas and Socceroos players are demanding a new national-standard 17,000-seat rectangular stadium “in return” for the inspiration the squads have delivered to millions of fans.

Matildas players celebrate winning the FIFA Womens World Cup against France at Brisbane Stadium. Picture: Lachie Millard

Matildas and Socceroos players are demanding a new football stadium at Perry Park “in return” for the inspiration the squads have delivered to millions of Australians.

The Sunday-Mail can reveal an open letter signed by 15current and former Matildas, Socceroos and Brisbane Roar players has been sent to the state government as it considers the draft Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure review report.

It calls for a national-standard 17,000-seat rectangular stadium to be built, preferably at Perry Park, as part of the legacy of the 2032 Brisbane Games – and the development of a training site that can be used after the event.

While appreciative of the statue built after their 2023 World Cup performance, the Matildas are urging the government to deliver a bricks and mortar legacy to help grow football.

“The players will give their all for Australia in the years leading to and during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games,” the letter says.

“We know that we will inspire all Australians and harness the power of the Games for the good of the community.

“All we ask in return is that governments genuinely value this sacrifice by delivering a true legacy for the largest grassroots sport in Brisbane and Queensland.”

The letter notes the significant growth in football after the nation hosts major events, with participation soaring by 20 per cent in the 12 months after the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

“However, as was the case following the hosting of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, there was no meaningful legacy to the game of football in the state of Queensland,” the letter notes.

“While the Asian Cup was a huge success on and off the pitch across four states and territories, Queensland was the only state that did not reinvest the financial windfall of the event into the development of football.”

Record-breaking television audiences and crowds during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup resulted football’s national growth increasing 11 per cent in the following 12 months.

Queensland has the second-largest outdoor football participation and second-highest female participation, but the players say investment is lacking.

“While appreciative of the support, the $10m Queensland Women’s Football Legacy Fund announced during the FIFA Women’s World Cup is grossly inadequate to meet the demands of the near 300,000 participants of football in the state today, let alone the thousands more that will play football over the coming decade,” the letter argues.

“Many players continue to be turned away by at-capacity grassroots clubs, or fail to return the next season owing to the poor experience delivered by ageing facilities that are not fit-for-purpose.”

The state government is reviewing infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and will reveal its decision on March 25 at The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane event.

Originally published as ‘You owe us a stadium’: Soccer stars’ message to Games’ bosses