In celebration of the overwhelmingly successful FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023鈩, and Australia鈥檚 sell out group stage game against Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium last night, 西瓜影视 CEO, James Johnson extends appreciation to the Queensland Government for their $4 million funding commitment towards 西瓜影视鈥檚 Legacy 鈥23 and the continued advancement of women鈥檚 football.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting time for football in Australia and we welcome the Queensland Government鈥檚 $4 million contribution towards a Queensland Women鈥檚 Football Legacy Fund, which will be matched dollar for dollar through other funding sources. This investment is inextricably aligned with 西瓜影视's Legacy '23 plan, and it represents an important step towards achieving our vision for the future of football.
鈥淚t paves the way for us to enhance community facilities and infrastructure, to foster inclusive environments with improved accessibility, and cultivate future talent, specifically for our female athletes. As a result of co-hosting the FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup 2023, these funds will help drive the evolution of football, inspire a new generation of participants and supporters, and leave a lasting legacy in Queensland that will continue to thrive and shape our sport long after the tournament's conclusion," stated James Johnson.
The Legacy '23 plan is aimed at delivering economic, social, physical, and mental health benefits, and fostering multicultural inclusion, revolving around five pillars - Participation, Community Facilities, Leadership & Development, Tourism & International Engagement, and High Performance. Since its inception, Legacy 鈥23 has unlocked more than $365 million for legacy-related projects.
From the National Football Facilities Audit we know that 29% of 420 fields in Queensland possess 鈥済ood鈥 drainage and 49% of 327 changerooms are female friendly. With female participation already up 10% in Queensland, there is considerable room for improvement in the capacity and capability of facilities to help meet the growing demand.
Sarah Walsh, Head of Women鈥檚 Football, World Cup Legacy, and Inclusion emphasised the continued commitment to Legacy 鈥23 and its essential role in transforming the landscape of women's football.
"The progress report showcases the significant investment in Legacy 鈥23. However, our journey is ongoing. We will continue working towards creating an environment that supports the growth of women鈥檚 football, encouraging increased participation and building a community that is inclusive and nurturing for all football lovers, new, existing, and returning," Walsh concluded.
To learn more about the Legacy 鈥23 and view the pre-tournament report CLICK HERE.
