In recent times, the Victorian and South Australian governments have gotten onside with the 2023 Women’s World Cup hosting bid.
The Matildas are one of, if not our most decorated international sides and to say they deserve to host the largest women’s sporting tournament in the world is a severe understatement.
Ever since the bid was initially proposed, there have been strong suggestions that Perth and the state of WA would be integral to the makeup of the tournament.
On Saturday, WA Premier Mark McGowan and the state government officially declared that the state of Western Australia will indeed be a part of the bid to host a Women’s World Cup.
Tremendous news with Premier @MarkMcGowanMP announcing the WA Government’s support for the @AusBid2023 for the Women’s World Cup. The Premier is speaking at @WesternKnights, where @samkerr1 started out as a junior. #getonside #wwc2023 @TheMatildas @FFA pic.twitter.com/6zq9905QyH
— Football West (@FootballWest) November 30, 2019
In theory, a Women’s World Cup would 100% work in Australia, despite clashes with the AFL and NRL seasons. With this in mind, matches at the 100,000 capacity MCG seem to be unlikely.
With that in mind, Perth has become a major talking point when it comes to a host city or where a potential final would be held. Now, with the WA government officially on board with the FFA’s proposed bid, that idea has a base.
The sport of soccer has seen a resurgence to a certain degree in recent times. Perth Glory have re-established themselves as an A-League powerhouse and were unlucky not to be crowned champions last season.
But when it comes to soccer in WA, the main talking point is Sam Kerr.
The Matildas captain is one of the poster girls for women’s soccer all across the globe. She recently made international headlines by signing for Chelsea’s women’s team in England. The Blues currently lead the FA Women’s National League, the Premier League equivalent for women.
She has been and continues to be an inspiration for up and coming soccer players in Australia, especially in her home state of Western Australia.
McGowan subsequently spoke about how it’s a potentially fantastic reward for the Matildas, but how beneficial it could be for his state.
“The WA Government is very excited at the prospect of being part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2023,” McGowan said.
“We have also partnered with FFA to secure at least two Socceroos games in Perth, including two guaranteed World Cup qualifiers next year and in 2021.
“The benefits to our State will be significant, in terms of having a major economic impact on and providing a massive increase in exposure to the rest of the world.”
VIDEO | Premier @MarkMcGowanMP speaks to @FootballWest about the WA State Government’s support for @AusBid2023 for the Women’s World Cup. #getonside #wwc2023 @TheMatildas @FFA pic.twitter.com/Z8QVHizQgR
— Football West (@FootballWest) November 30, 2019
We have previously spoken about the prospect of hosting a Women’s World Cup Down Under in 2023 and how it’s benefits would have no end.
The amount of aspiring female players will skyrocket, with many hoping to emulate the likes of Kerr, Lisa De Vanna, Steph Catley and Chloe Logarzo.
As Premier McGowan outlined, the increase in exposure across the globe would do a world of good. The Matildas are already a highly respected side, currently ranked 8th in the world by FIFA and ahead of international footballing powerhouses like Brazil, Spain and Italy.
The game in Australia would benefit hugely and more fans from around the world would start watching our domestic competitions, both male and female.
Compare this to the way in which Qatar became the number one topic everywhere when it was named the host of the 2022 Men’s World Cup.
When soccer fans think of Qatar, they automatically think to how they are hosting that competition, as well as how they recently stunned the continent of Asia by winning this year’s Asian Cup back in February.
The tournament is still two and a half years away and yet, talk about them and the tournament still continues. Imagine when the tournament actually gets underway.
The bid continues to attract major stakeholders and more and more people are getting #onside with it. It goes to show that women’s sport isn’t just emerging from the shadows, it’s becoming a genuine revolution and now, it’s viewed upon by the majority as just as important as the men’s game.
Let’s hope that the 2023 bid is successful because it would be the sustained interest that soccer in this country needs.
