- State Football Centre Festival to honour and celebrate WA’s rich football history
- Festival to officially open the new $46 million State Football Centre and the legacy of recently hosting FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 matches
- Celebration of WA football coincides with CommBank Matildas’ time in Perth for three matches, as part of qualifying campaign for the Paris 2024 Olympics
- Free, ticketed event kicks off at 3pm on Friday, October 27
One of the world’s best footballers, homegrown hero Sam Kerr, and members of the Australian women’s national team will make a guest appearance at a community football festival to be held at WA’s new State Football Centre later this month.
Select members of the CommBank Matildas will feature at the free, ticketed event, where the activities start at 3pm on Friday, October 27 2023 to mark the official opening of the newly constructed Queens Park venue where the Australian team will be training for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers.
The celebration of community football will provide opportunities for members of the squad to meet young fans who look up to them as role models and celebrate their success with the WA community.
The event will run from 3pm to 7.30pm and feature a carnival atmosphere, family-friendly activities, food trucks, and live entertainment.
About 4000 attendees from the football community, and members of the public who secure free tickets, will be able to attend the event.
The Cook Government is committed to growing female participation in football, building on the legacy of Perth being a host city of the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup that saw international teams train and play in WA.
Development of the sport involves close work with Football Australia, Football West, and clubs across the State.
The festival at the State Football Centre will also showcase a Perth Glory women’s training session, as well as entertainment and activities for young players and families.
The community football festival is another chance to see the CommBank Matildas outside of their three matches to be held at HBF Park and Optus Stadium on October 26, October 29, and November 1, as part of their campaign to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
These matches will be the first in Perth for the CommBank Matildas since 2018.
For fans who secure tickets to this community festival, public transport will be free to and from the event with a dedicated shuttle bus between Cannington Station and the State Football Centre to help manage crowds amongst normal traffic.
Due to limited parking, public transport is highly recommended.
Free tickets will be available for members of the WA football community today, Monday, October 16, with the broader community able to secure free tickets from Wednesday, October 18.
For event and ticketing information, visit: www.venueswest.wa.gov.au.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
“We look forward to welcoming the CommBank Matildas to WA for the first time since 2018, for a week-long football festival right here in WA.
“The official grand opening of our State Football Centre to the community is a perfect opportunity to focus on community football, with Perth-born mega star Sam Kerr and some of her teammates joining in the family fun and sharing their passion for the world game.
“We want our young players to have opportunities to reach elite levels and become future superstars that is exactly why we invested in the State Football Centre.
“Our festival of football will have a vibrant family-friendly atmosphere and aims to build on the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and upcoming Olympic qualifiers in growing participation in the sport across playing, coaching and officiating.”
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
“Off the back of Perth being a host city for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, many young women are inspired to join the game.
“Our aim is to see them reach elites levels and become future superstar footballers, maybe our next Sam!
“The CommBank Matildas are strong role models, and this is a fantastic chance to bring them to the community, to further inspire kids and continue the growth of participation in football, including coaching and officiating.
“Attendees can expect a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere at the festival on October 27.”
As stated by Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
“It’s a massive coup for Western Australia to be hosting the CommBank Matildas for their first matches since their incredible run during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We wanted to make sure the community had the opportunity to see their World Cup heroes up close and personal, especially home-grown star Sam Kerr.
“What better way to launch our incredible State Football Centre than with a community day to celebrate the Matildas and growing women’s soccer in Western Australia.”
