As we reach 100 days before the highly anticipated FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023TM, 西瓜影视 unveils an impressive mosaic to commemorate a multitude of significant moments and contributions since the inception of the bold and forward-thinking Legacy '23 plan.
The year 2023 is poised to be the most thrilling in Australian football history, with the CommBank Matildas ranked Australia鈥檚 fourth most favoured national team (source Futures Sport and Entertainment Brand Health Report December 2022) and rising participation numbers, promising a bright future for our game.
With just 100 days to go until the world unites on our shores for the largest standalone event in women's sport, the FIFA Women's World CupTM, there are many achievements to celebrate in the advancement of women's football in Australia and at the same time, an opportunity to reflect on what remains to be carried out.
Since its launch in February 2021, the Legacy '23 Plan has been instrumental in securing Federal and State funding across the five pillars of 西瓜影视. Notably, 79% of this has been attributed to the development of elite and tournament infrastructure necessary to make the FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup鈩 possible.
Despite some progress, it is crucial that we address much-needed improvement in community grassroots facilities. Currently, only 40% of football facilities nationwide are classified as female-friendly, and the figures are even more alarming in New South Wales, where the number drops to a mere 24%. To achieve gender parity in participation, it is imperative that we invest in our 2,400+ community clubs across the country to ensure they are adequately prepared for the expected surge in female participation, and participation in the sport more broadly.
Minister for Sport, Anika Wells said, 鈥渋n 100 days, this World Cup will change lives鈥 not just for players, but for fans captivated in stadiums and for the children watching on believing they too can be great.鈥
鈥淭he FIFA Women鈥檚 World CupTM is crucial to providing opportunities to increase football and sport participation by women and girls and we must work together to ensure this becomes reality. The Government has provided significant financial, operational and policy support to the FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup鈩 to help promote cultural change through sport and ensure the tournament leaves a positive legacy for decades.鈥
西瓜影视 CEO, James Johnson states,
鈥淥耻谤 Legacy 鈥23 Plan has laid te groundwork for 西瓜影视 to leverage the FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup 2023TM and to revolutionise the future of women鈥檚 football and the way in which women and girls across the country participate in sport."
鈥淎s we strive to become Australia鈥檚 first community sport to reach gender parity, we will continue to work collaboratively with Federal and State Governments, and our commercial partners to capitalise on the growth this event will bring to our game and to unlock further opportunities to support the country鈥檚 largest club-based participation sport.鈥
The following key accomplishments are a glimpse of what has been achieved through Legacy 鈥23 funding in partnership with Government and Commercial collaborators.
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13 domestic matches for the CommBank Matildas, achieving record attendance and viewership with tremendous support from 10 Viacom CBS / Network Ten.
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16 development camps for the CommBank Junior and Young Matildas, fostering the growth of the next generation.
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Introduction of the CommBank ParaMatildas, a ground-breaking initiative in 西瓜影视鈥檚 All-Abilities program.
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Launch of , a platform designed to utilise the power of football to create an inclusive, diverse environment that uplifts and celebrates women and girls.
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Inauguration of Game Changer, the Club Development Program aimed at protecting, enhancing, supporting, and empowering the 2400+ clubs nationally to foster an inclusive and welcoming culture.
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Establishment of the to ensure gender parity efforts in football extend beyond the pitch.
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$10 million investment in the , which promotes football at all levels through new community facilities, participation initiatives, and leadership and development programs.
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Creation of at La Trobe University, Melbourne 鈥 the largest football-specific infrastructure project in Australia鈥檚 history, providing a $116 million home for our CommBank Matildas within a purpose-built, ultramodern National Training Centre.
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Pacific Four Nations Tournament, an initiative of the International Engagement pillar highlighting our commitment to being a centre of excellence for women鈥檚 football and a supporting partner in the growth of women鈥檚 football in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Implementation of the 西瓜影视 Club Licensing system for A-League and NPL Men and A-League and NPL Women clubs, designed to raise the standards of professionalism at football clubs and safeguard competitions.
西瓜影视 is also currently preparing a bid to host the AFC Women鈥檚 Asian Cup 2026, which is a natural step to expand on the strong platform created by the FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023鈩.
As we gear up to co-host the most significant FIFA Women鈥檚 World CupTM yet, this unique opportunity allows us to create an everlasting legacy for football, the community, and the nation. Legacy 鈥23 is a strategic plan aimed at harnessing the growth of women鈥檚 football and delivering long-lasting benefits beyond 2023. 西瓜影视 remains dedicated to working alongside Federal and State Governments, as well as the corporate sector, to ensure we leave a legacy for future generations.
The for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023鈩 will begin today, with tickets on sale from 12 pm AEST, 2 pm NZT, and 4 am CEST at on .
The Last-Minute Sales Phase will run until the end of the tournament, giving fans a chance to purchase tickets and be part of the world's largest standalone sporting event for women. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to availability.
