Tasmania eyeing a slice of FIFA Women’s World Cup action

Australia is gunning for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – and Tasmania wants a piece of the action.

THE Tasmanian Government’s decision to support Australia’s bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup could see world-class women’s football being played at Launceston’s University of Tasmania Stadium.

Premier Will Hodgman announced Tasmania’s intention to host up to three games in what he said was “a great opportunity for Tasmania to participate in what is one of the biggest sporting events in the world”.

“The Tasmanian Government is lodging a bid to participate and what this will mean is group matches in Tasmania as well as the opportunity to host training venues across the state and that will allow for a great interaction between the best players in the world and Tasmanians,” he said.

“To have a sporting competition like this played in Tasmania is an opportunity too good to be missed. There was a need for the Tasmanian Government to step up with every other state being a part of this, we want to be a part of it as well and we are hopeful that when a decision is made by FIFA in the new year that Australia will be selected as the venue for the World Cup and Tasmania will be a part of it.”

Bellerive Primary School students, from left, Celeste Fitzpatrick, 11, Nikolette Spiliopoulos, 12, and Lily Cox, 11, are excited at the prospect of Tasmania seeing Women’s World Cup action in 2023. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Football Tasmania welcomed the announcement, with CEO Matt Bulkeley saying it was important that the Government showed its support for “Tasmania’s game”.

“Tasmania has one of the highest levels of female football players in the country and the Government’s support shows they recognise just how important football is to the community,” Mr Bulkeley said.

The bid was officially launched in October last year and gained traction following the Matildas’ impressive performance in this year’s World Cup, an event Mr Bulkeley said was fantastic for women’s football in Tasmania.

Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley, left, and Premier Will Hodgman at Bellerive Primary School for the Women’s World Cup announcement. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“The Matildas performed brilliantly at this year’s World Cup and we have once again seen a rise in female participation off the back of their exploits in France, with a 10 per cent growth in the number of girls playing football this season,” he said.

“We are seeing a huge uptake in football from younger women especially and being able to see the best players in the world playing in their home state would be a game-changer for many young Tasmanian women.”

Australia is one of eight nations competing to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup.