Perth Rectangular Stadium makes final preparations for FIFA Women’s World Cup

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Perth Rectangular Stadium
Image via FIFA

The natural grass at Perth Rectangular Stadium (HBF Park) has been removed and replaced with 9500 square metres of hybrid turf as the Women’s World Cup draws near.

The turf work is part of a $35 million project funded by the McGowan Government to renovate Perth Glory’s home ground ahead of five international football matches there during the year’s biggest sporting event. The basis for the change being to improve the player and spectator experience while complying with media requirements.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 match schedule includes five games at the Perth Rectangular Stadium:

  • Denmark v People’s Republic of China on 22 July;
  • Republic of Ireland v Canada on 26 July;
  • Panama v Jamaica on 29 July;
  • Haiti v Denmark on 1 August; and
  • Morocco v Colombia on 3 August.

In a press release, Recreation Minister David Templeman said:

“With 99 days to go until the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the countdown is truly on, and I’m delighted to share that we’re almost pitch perfect at Perth Rectangular Stadium.

“The McGowan Government funded project involves 800 rolls – about 30 truckloads – of grass, weighing 80 kilograms per square metre. The weight means it will be ready to play as soon as it is down, and the world-class hybrid turf is more durable, stable, and safe than the previous natural grass.

Overall, Perth Rectangular Stadium has undergone works to the tune of $35 million to make it Women’s World Cup ready. This includes new change rooms, players tunnel and dugouts, as well as new LED floodlights that meet FIFA’s broadcast standards, allowing our five WA hosted matches to be shown on TV.”

The other improvements to the stadium include:

  • New, larger high-definition video boards
  • Revamped changing rooms
  • A new tunnel for players to enter the pitch
  • Facilities made more accessible
  • New gates at the entrances to the ground

Perth Rectangular Stadium played host for Perth Glory against Adelaide United in their A-League Men’s encounter, after the former was temporarily playing home fixtures at Macedonia Park as the changes took place.

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Northern NSW Football opens registrations for Female Football Week 2026

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Image Credit: Football Australia

Northern NSW Football has opened registrations for Female Football Week 2026, inviting clubs, players, coaches, referees and administrators across the region to take part in a national celebration of women’s football running from Friday May 8 to Sunday May 17.

Now in its latest edition, Female Football Week provides a structured opportunity for the football community to acknowledge the contributions of women and girls to the game at every level, from grassroots volunteers to elite competitors. The week sits within a broader national context of record participation growth in women’s football following the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, with northern NSW among the regions experiencing some of the most significant increases in female registrations over recent seasons.

The first 40 clubs to register will receive a club activation pack. Registered clubs will also receive promotional support through the NNSWF website and access to Female Football Week advertising collateral, with activities ranging from panel discussions and workshops to social media campaigns highlighting female participants within their communities.

Award nominations are also open across six categories, Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Referee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Community Champion of the Year and Club of the Year, recognising individuals and clubs making significant contributions to women and girls’ football in northern NSW over the past twelve months.

“Female Football Week is a fantastic chance to highlight the passion and talent of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” said NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter. “There’s something for everyone with activities and events catering to all levels, from grassroots through to elite competition.”

WSL Football set for major technology advancement with Sportable

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Image credit: Sportable

The Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) will collaborate with Nike and Sportable, a data and analytics company in the sports landscape, making it the first football league in the world to use advanced tracking technology.

 

Where innovation meets football

Sportable’s Connected ball technology will feature in Nike’s Official WSL Matchballs, promising a new level of insight and analysis into the game.

The product is currently undergoing a trial and test process, but may launch at an even larger scale from the start of the 2026/27 season. Potentially operating at every Barclays WSL match in the very near future, Sportable’s cutting-edge technology stands as a springboard for the future intersection between data technology and the beautiful game.

Moreover, Sportable CEO, Dugald Macdonald, expressed his excitement at what the product can bring for the women’s game.

“The opportunity to create a consistent, data-rich view of performance, from training pitches to stadiums, is truly groundbreaking and we are excited to help unlock the next level of insight for teams across the league and their fans via an enhanced, data-rich, broadcast experience,” Macdonald said via official media release.

Furthermore, with analytics and data taking a leading role within clubs to maximise performance, Sportable are providing clubs in the WSL with a vital tool in an elite, highly competitive landscape.

 

What does the technology provide?

Certified by the FIFA Quality Programme for Electronic Performance Tracking Systems (EPTS), Sportable’s Connected ball and player tracking system presents many benefits to clubs and athletes alike.

For example, across both training and competition, aspects such as ball speed, spin, flight, high intensity plays, team shape, tactical patterns and off-the-ball actions are all measured. Therefore, Sportable’s technology will play an essential role in backing current and future athletes with the information they need to maximise their potential.

“Nike’s new partnership with us is built on innovation and putting players first,” outlined Chief Revenue Officer for WSL Football, Zarah Al-Kudcy.

“Their desire to elevate the role of the ball through Sportable’s technology will enable us to provide enhanced performance data to our clubs as well as tell richer stories to our fans. We are excited to be the first football league in the world to use this technology.”

 

Read here for more information about Sportable.

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