Canberra will play host to the Caltex Socceroos, Westfield Matildas and Westfield Junior Matildas as part of the commitment to bring a Home of Football to Canberra.
The ACT Government formally announced budget funding at the Throsby site on Friday morning, and Capital Football CEO Phil Brown thanked them for their contribution to the future of Football in the region.
“I’d like thank the ACT Government for their generous support,” he said.
“In particular Chief Minister Barr and Deputy Chief Minister Berry, and all of those who worked to help us get to here today.”
With participation booming and reaching nearly 40,000 participants across all programs, the Home of Football will deliver a mixture of facilities to cater to the largest team sport in the region.
“The precinct will include Futsal Courts, a mix of synthetic and grass fields, and associated amenities to ensure the players, referees, coaches and spectators that visit the venue have a great experience,” Brown said.
“This venue will host Canberra United matches, development programs, NPL matches and grassroots football, in a region that will be teaming with new players.”
“It will also provide much needed facilities for futsal, which is already at capacity at existing venues.
With 42% of futsal players in the ACT female, more than double the national average, it provides us a vehicle to progress our ambitions of reaching 50/50 participation of males and females.”
At Friday morning’s event, Brown also announced on behalf of Football Federation Australia that the Caltex Socceroos, Westfield Matildas and Westfield Junior Matildas will all play international matches in the Capital.
Brown said it was a great chance for the football-mad region to show their support for the national teams in a local setting.
“With one Caltex Socceroos Round 2 World Cup Qualification match, as part of the qualification process for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, one Westfield Matildas International, either a friendly or a match as part of the Cup of Nations and one Westfield Young Matildas international match there will be a host of world class football matches over the coming 18 months to entertain the public and inspire the next generation of players.”
Football Federation CEO David Gallop thanked the ACT Government also for their contribution, and praised the impact that the Home of Football will have on Football in the ACT and surrounding region.
“Football Federation Australia congratulates and thanks the ACT Government for this significant investment in football,” Gallop said.
“This new facility will not only benefit the many thousands of football participants in the ACT, it has great significance at a national level, and will provide a state-of-the-art training base for our national teams, including the Westfield Matildas and the Caltex Socceroos.”
“This exciting partnership will see the Caltex Socceroos play a FIFA World Cup Qualification match in Canberra, while our Westfield Matildas and Westfield Young Matildas will also play international matches here in the nation’s capital.
“It’s a real boost for football fans in the ACT who’ll be able to witness their heroes first-hand, hopefully inspiring the next generation of Socceroos and Matildas.”
