- New State Football Centre unveiled ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
- $46 million facility jointly funded by State and Commonwealth Governments
- World-class venue will be co-managed by VenuesWest and Football West
The newly constructed State Football Centre in Queens Park has been unveiled, ahead of it taking centre stage as one of the training facilities in Perth for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
With only four days to go before Perth hosts five matches as part of the biggest women’s sporting event on the planet, the centre was officially opened today before it provides the opportunity for teams from Denmark, Canada, Panama, Haiti and Morocco to train using its world-class facilities.
The 16-hectare site includes a two-storey building with a grandstand, two competition and training pitches, on-site parking and three five-a-side playing pitches.
The $46 million investment was jointly funded by State and Commonwealth Governments, with the Cook Government making a $29.71 million contribution.
The Department of Local, Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) has been managing the development at Queens Park Open Space, with work commencing on the site in February 2022 and the centre recently reaching practical completion.
VenuesWest with Football West will co-manage the day-to-day running of the venue.
From Wednesday, to celebrate the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, a number of iconic State landmarks will be lit up in green and gold ahead of the Matilda’s first match on Thursday night.
Football West has more than 50,000 members and now has a space in WA that the sport can call home. More information about the State Football Centre project is available at www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/the-state-football-centre.
As stated by WA Premier Roger Cook:
“Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and opening this facility in time for the first match ensures it will leave a lasting legacy for football in Western Australia.
“My Government is proud to have jointly funded and delivered a world-class facility that will not only help players train and perform at their peak during the upcoming World Cup, but provide the same opportunities to local teams and young players working towards scoring their own taste of international football glory someday.”
Comments attributed to Federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King:
“I’m thrilled to see the new State Football Centre already being recognised as a world-class training facility.
“This project is a great example of the Australian and Western Australian governments working together to invest in sporting infrastructure that will not only be used by locals, but will attract athletes, matches and visitors from afar providing a real economic boost for communities now and into the future.”
As stated by WA Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
“With only days to go before Perth hosts five matches as part of the biggest women’s sporting event on the planet, it’s exciting to be opening this incredible new facility before it takes centre stage as one of the training facilities.
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup will be history-making for WA and put our state on the map with many thousands of football fans the new State Football Centre and other key venues will be at the heart of the action as football fever takes over Perth.”
As stated by WA Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
“Congratulations to everyone involved in delivering this new facility in time for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 matches to kick off in Perth.
“Beyond the World Cup, the collaboration between VenuesWest and Football West at this facility will provide a unique opportunity for football in Western Australia, supporting the development of the sport from grassroots programs to high-performance teams.
Comments attributed to Federal Member for Swan Zaneta Mascarenhas:
“This project, which the Federal Government proudly contributed $16.25 million to, has constructed two full-sized FIFA standard football pitches with lighting, sport science facilities, player and referee change rooms, main administration building and function room.
“Young people are inspired by watching the superstars of sport on the world stage. Now we have that world stage right on our doorstep.”
Comments attributed to State Member for Cannington Bill Johnston:
“This is a fantastic new facility for our local area that will benefit football fans, sporting clubs, families and the broader community alike.
“It’s also incredibly exciting for locals that the Centre is ready to go in time to host FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 teams as they train and prepare for their matches in what is an internationally significant tournament.”
