Soccer boss hopes star Sam Kerr could lead Matildas in World Cup lead-up games in Tasmania

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is headed to Australia, and Tasmanian soccer officials have revealed the impact it will have on the sport locally.

SOCCER superstar Sam Kerr leading the Matildas in a lead-up match to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Tasmania would “turbocharge” participation rates around the state, says Tasmania’s round-ball boss Matt Bulkeley.

The Football Tasmania CEO is confident numbers will accelerate, particularly in the women’s game, as the state cashes in on Australia winning the rights to host the World Cup in partnership with New Zealand, beating Colombia in a vote of nations 23-12.

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Bulkeley says UTas Stadium was already approved as a World Cup venue by the sports international governing body FIFA and Tasmania was ready to host international teams for training and games, and that the world-class Matildas are likely to play in Tasmania in the lead-up to the tournament.

Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

“I don’t think it’s overstating it to say it’s a game-changer,” Bulkeley said.

“This will do great things for our female participation.

“We have a national ambition to have 50-50 split in participation and we really think this will turbocharge that and give the girls high visibility of elite players and spur them on to want to play and to remain in the game.

“It’s a massive opportunity.”

Tasmania already leads Australia with its 27 per cent female participation rate.

“No matter where it’s held, every four years we see a great spike in new girls signing up to play football off the back of Women’s World Cup,” Bulkeley said.

“We’re optimistic that following this exciting announcement, female football in Tasmania will see an even bigger spike in participation than usual.

“The Matildas are already one of Australia’s favourite sporting teams and have demonstrated their ability to inspire young girls, and boys too, to play football and follow their dreams of wearing the green and gold.

“Who knows, having the World Cup on Australian shores might even help Tasmania uncover its next Matilda.”

Minister for Sport and Recreation, Jane Howlett, said the Women’s World Cup could generate vital international exposure for the state.

“It has the ability to attract global media presence and significant broadcast audiences around the world, and we welcome the enhanced economic and social benefits this tournament will bring,” she said.

UTas Stadium would have a soccer pitch laid out on it and extra seating would be installed on the vacant playing area to increase the grounds seating capacity by about 3000 to meet the World Cup minimum requirement of 20,000.

The venue has already hosted A-League soccer and rugby.

Hobart would also get some action.

“That is certainly our objective,” Bulkeley said.

“What this presents for us as a sport is to bring more high-profile female football to Tasmania including to Hobart and that would hopefully be the Matildas and other teams as well that want to familiarise themselves with the local conditions.”