Eyes set on Women’s World Cup for Football West with key appointment

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Ivy Chen
Image credit: Football West

Jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is going to be one of the biggest events on the calendar for Western Australia.

Football West, the sole governing body for football in Western Australia, has ensured that the state is prepared and enthusiastic about being given the opportunity to host matches at their historic venue, Perth Rectangular Stadium.

As part of the build up to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and beyond, Football West has put together their Legacy Plan, recently announcing its first female football Legacy Ambassador – resource geologist, Ivy Chen.

The Legacy Plan focuses on delivering lasting benefits for the football community of Western Australia. Aimed at creating opportunities and enduring outcomes, paying particular attention to female football, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will bring a lot of awareness around female participation and the surrounding community.

Along with inspiring males and females of all ages to become involved in the sport, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is anticipated to bring in millions of dollars of economic benefits to the state. The five matches scheduled in Perth will no doubt generate more tourists and promote the state in all corners of the globe.

Acknowledging the persuasion the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup can have in highlighting everything Western Australia, and Perth in particular, has to offer, Chen expressed her excitement about the potential benefits the FIFA Women’s World Cup can bring for the state in a statement: 

“I think that the Women’s World Cup is going to bring so many new people to Perth. A lot of people who watch soccer are going to see us, WA, Australia in general, will probably have never even thought to have come here,” she said.

“It’s going to be a whole new demographic, and they’ll all learn about us”.

In order to meet FIFA venue requirements for the upcoming World Cup, Perth Rectangular Stadium is currently undergoing a variety of improvements.

The upgrades, worth $35 million, will be advantageous to the state, competition and future matches and events held at the stadium. New lighting, turf replacement, and new player races and bench areas are just some of the integral upgrades being conducted at the Perth stadium.

The Australia and New Zealand 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup begins on July 20, with Denmark vs China scheduled to be the first of the five games played at WA’s Perth Rectangular Stadium on July 22. The match is set to be a thriller, with only limited tickets remaining.

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Manchester City open new training centre for Women’s First Team

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Image credit: Manchester City

The training centre opened earlier this week, following years of planning, investment and ambition for Manchester City Women.

State-of-the-art facilities

Recently crowned WSL Champions, Manchester City Women will now be able to train, prepare and recover in a truly special, purpose-built facility.

Covering 17,000 square feet, a world-class gym, strength & conditioning facilities and dressing room, the site will help players  to maximise performances on the pitch.

But given the facilities also received input from players and staff, inspiring added touches like social spaces and recognition for players with over 100 appearances, it is clear that this is a deeply personal project for all involved at Manchester City Women.

As Managing Director of Manchester City Women, Charlotte O’Neill, highlighted, the training centre is a symbol of excellence and ambition.

“This building is about so much more than bricks and mortar,” O’Neill said via press release.

“It is about creating an environment here our players can thrive, where standards are set at the very highest level and where the current squad has everything it needs to continue to compete for and win silverware.”

A winning project, for a winning team. The training centre is sure to propel Manchester City Women to even greater heights in the seasons to come.

 

Continuing investment trends

Furthermore, as the result of an AUD 18.6 million (GBP 10 million) investment and purpose-built for Manchester City Women, it is yet another example of the current strength of WSL investment.

Just a few weeks ago, Brighton & Hove Albion unveiled plans to construct a new venue for its women’s team, delivering on a clear intention to support commercial growth and infrastructure in the women’s game.

But even after winning their first WSL title this season, the message from the board is clear: Manchester City Women are a fundamental part of the club’s long-term vision.

“This new facility marks the next logical step in our long-term commitment to Manchester City Women, and is an important milestone for the club as a whole,” said Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

“We have always believed in investing to create the right environment for players and staff to develop and succeed. That approach has underpinned every aspect of our work since the professional relaunch of Manchester City Women in 2014.”

Isabella Mossin awarded Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year

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Image credit: Football NSW

The youngest recipient since its inception, Mossin will officially receive the award after leading the Ninja A-League Grand Final 2026 on Saturday.

 

A rapid rise

After debuting in 2023, Mossin has quickly proved quality, composure and confidence as a referee in the Ninja A-League.

As a result of the achievement, Mossin will be the appointed referee for this weekend’s Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix.

After beginning in the North West Sydney Football Association, Mossin then honed her craft with the Football NSW Referee Academy, a journey with foundations truly embedded in youth development and grassroots football.

Thus, Mossin is not just am individual success story, but a symbol of what institutional investment and opportunities can do for young women looking for a pathway to the game.

 

Celebrating success

The plaudits, unsurprisngly, are arriving from across Australia’s football landscape, with many emphasising the incredible standards set by Mossin since her debut just three years ago.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.

“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership, strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition,” highlighted Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss.

“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-league Women’s Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing,” said Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray.

Given Mossin’s reputation and experience already at the top level of women’s football in Australia, there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion this Saturday.

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