The Matildas dream of winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup might have come to an end, but Ballarat people will have one final chance to unite and watch them play.
The City of Ballarat’s new giant screen in Alfred Deakin Place will stream the Matildas’ playoff for third place against Sweden on Saturday night.
While this screening event will be without food trucks and heaters, the broadcast and audio will still run for people wishing to come together to cheer on the Matildas one more time. The existing public toilets will remain available and those attending are encouraged to make a night of it by supporting their favourite local restaurant or pub before settling in.
An estimated 350 people packed the Camp Street live site on Wednesday night for the match against England, contributing to a lively atmosphere that peaked with Sam Kerr’s brilliant goal in the second half.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said it was great to see Ballarat people come together to watch the match as one.
“I think the turnout was great when people could just have easily stayed home and watched the match in the warmth of their own lounge room,” Cr Hudson said.
“The screen worked brilliantly in its debut run as an event site, showing what enormous potential it has. It brought many people to the CBD on a night where they otherwise might not have and provided a great atmosphere for all.
“Unfortunately, the dream run is over for the Matildas but what a whirlwind experience they gave the whole nation.
“As a Council we have been pushing hard for improved facilities for female sport for many years now and the Matildas’ performance throughout the World Cup shows how important the investment is.
“I encourage people to once again come out in numbers on Saturday night, spend some time in the city, grab some takeaway from your favourite eatery and cheer on the green and gold as the team looks to finish a remarkable third place in the World Cup.”
The five-metre wide screen installation began in July, with the finishing touches still being finalised in the Alfred Deakin Place area.
The project was fully funded by the State Government’s COVID Safe Outdoor Activation Fund 2021, targeting industries most impacted by the pandemic.
Aside from the Matildas matches, it is currently displaying Daniel Crooks’ 2012 video work, ‘A Garden of Parallel Paths’ on loop, which splices together tracking shots of Melbourne laneways.
The screen will also be used for the upcoming Ballarat International Foto Biennale, which runs from 26 August – 22 October.
The third-place playoff will start at 6pm. The World Cup final on Sunday between England and Spain will not be streamed at Alfred Deakin Place.
