
13 training sites across 5 Australian cities have been selected in the initial phase of team facility planning, for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The confirmed list of sites selected for participating nations to conduct training sessions throughout the tournament include:
- Adelaide/ Tarntanya – Marden Sports Complex (Marden), South Australia Football Centre (Gepps Cross)
- Brisbane / Meaanjin – Perry Park (Bowen Hills), Spencer Park (Newmarket)
- Melbourne / Naarm – JL Murphy Reserve (Port Melbourne), Lakeside Stadium (Albert Park), Reggio Calabria Club (Parkville)
- Perth / Boorloo – Dorrien Gardens (West Perth), Western Australia State Football Centre (Queens Park)
- Sydney / Gadigal – ES Marks Athletics Field (Kensington), Leichhardt Oval (Leichardt), Valentine Sports Park (Glenwood), Western Sydney Wanderers Centre of Football (Rooty Hill)
Football Australia’s Head of Women’s World Cup Legacy, Sarah Walsh, said of the announcement: “This is an important moment for our host cities and the start of a number of exciting announcements around the tournament as it starts to come to life for our local football communities.
“Beyond the major stadia, we now see multiple facilities having an opportunity to be a part of this tournament of firsts, with many of these Training Sites having a strong football footprint and are deeply embedded in their local communities. This is a chance to increase their involvement and highlight the contribution to Australia’s football story.
“Their selection as training sites for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 highlights the importance of high-quality community facilities. Through our community facilities Legacy ’23 pillar, we will be working to ensure that many more community grounds are equipped with female-friendly sporting facilities to accelerate the growth of women’s football post-tournament.”
Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci, welcomed the news that international stars would be training at some of the state’s premium football venues.
“With two of our state’s iconic football venues selected as training sites for the tournament, we look forward to continuing to work with Queensland Government to ensure we are supporting the growth of the women’s game and delivering a lasting legacy for Queensland’s footballers,” he stated.
Football NSW CEO, Stuart Hodge, was delighted with the news.
“We are proud of the inclusive football facilities we have developed at Valentine Sports Park,” he said.
“With the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 fast approaching, we are committed to the rollout of Legacy programs to help ensure our members have the capacity and capabilities to meet the needs of our fast-growing female football community.”
Football South Australia CEO, Michael Carter, highlighted the impact the State Centre for Football will have in increasing the participation of women and girls in the years to come.
“The State Centre for Football, which is due for completion late April will be a great facility that will connect grassroots to the elite,” he stated.
“The Centre will play a vital role for our Legacy Plan, providing opportunities for all through a variety of programs such as social football, school competitions, Walking Football and inclusion programs.”
Football Victoria President, Antonella Care, added: “The selected Victorian venues have extended ties to our game and will provide modern, state-of-the-art facilities as training sites for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.
“Not only will they provide an ideal environment for teams to prepare ahead of their matches; they will also ensure women’s football flourishes well beyond it.”
Football West CEO, James Curtis, explained: “There is great excitement in Western Australia for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and we are delighted that we have two fantastic venues which will play host to national teams.
“The State Football Centre will deliver a legacy for female football in WA for decades to come and it is fitting that it will be forever associated with the Women’s World Cup, the pinnacle of our game. Football West regularly uses Dorrien Gardens for our finals, and this is another first-class facility which will be worthy of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
In the coming months, the next phase of the training site project will be completed, with an evaluation of other prospective training sites across both Australia and New Zealand.