With Australian football heading into the most significant 12 months in its history, the country’s Socceroos and Matildas stars have united to help deliver Football Australia’s Play Football campaign, in an effort to nurture future national team players.
The Subway Socceroos are set to embark on their fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup (sixth overall) when they take to the field in Qatar during November, and the CommBank Matildas are perched to take the country by storm next July and August as Australia co-hosts the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Football is already the most diverse and inclusive sport in Australia, with programs and competitions catering for everyone irrespective of ability, age, gender, race, and religion.
It’s also the number one team participation sport across in Australia, with over one and a half million people enjoying the many benefits that football can deliver including camaraderie, community, friendship, and teamwork, not to mention improved physical and mental health.
With Australians set to be inspired by the feats of the world’s greatest footballers, Football Australia has launched its 2022/23 Play Football campaign, which will help connect people – young and old – with their local football team and an array of football programs and competitions.
Upon launching this Play Football campaign, Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson said in a statement:
“Already acclaimed as the largest team-based participation sport in Australia, this particular Play Football campaign presents a unique opportunity to further ignite interest in football participation in Australia, as the Subway Socceroos embark on their quest at the FIFA Men’s World Cup Qatar 2022TM and the CommBank Matildas prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 on home soil.”
“Whether it’s as a player, coach, referee, or volunteer, football truly is a sport for all, and we look forward to seeing even more football fields and futsal courts across Australia full of people having fun and enjoying all the benefits of our great game.”
Fronting Football Australia’s Play Football campaign are current CommBank Matildas’ Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter plus Subway Socceroos’ Awer Mabil and Andrew Redmayne, where each has experienced their own unique journey from grassroots football to the biggest stage in world football.
In this campaign, CommBank Matildas’ captain Sam Kerr explained via press release why Australians should Play Football:
“There’s nothing quite like the fun and freedom of playing football in a team with all your friends. It’s such a special feeling, no matter where I’m playing around the world, the buzz I experience playing football with my teammates is always the same. Football has provided me with some of my best memories and friends, I would encourage everyone to find a club and experience this for themselves.”
The Socceroos 26-strong squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ is the most diverse ever selected, reflecting Australia’s multicultural makeup. For the first time ever, four footballers of African heritage will feature in the same Socceroos’ squad including fan favourites, Awer Mabil and Garang Kuol.
“I have been lucky that football has taken me to many parts of the world and provided me with so many opportunities. Most of all though, it has given me enjoyment. Nothing makes me as happy as playing football with my teammates. Football is a game for anyone, at any time in their life, so get out there and sign up to your local club, you will never look back!,” Mabil added via press release.
Football Australia’s Play Football marketing campaign features a 30-second television commercial, digital and social media content, out of home creative and other assets which will support the promotion of why even more Australians should Play Football in 2023 and beyond.
Join the team at www.playfootball.com.au
