Record investment in sporting infrastructure across South Australia has helped Adelaide secure the Young Matilda’s training camp in the lead up to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Marshall Liberal Government is investing $24 million in upgrading the State Centre of Football at Gepps Cross taking the venue to elite sports-hub standard.
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Corey Wingard, said being able to offer Adelaide as a training destination for the Young Matildas proves to the world South Australia is open for sporting business.
“This is a perfect example of what money invested wisely can return for the state,” Minister Wingard said.
“We’ve already been selected as one of the host cities for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup putting us in front of a massive international audience and showcasing women’s football to the world.
“Now to be able to welcome the Young Matildas to our great state in the lead up will only help cement SA as a go-to sporting destination.”
The Young Matildas will hold a training camp in mid 2022 to help officially open the brand new state-of-the-art facility.
The upgrade includes include a show pitch with a 1,000-seat grandstand, a two-storey administration and function centre for Football SA, two full size synthetic floodlit training pitches, gymnasium, change rooms and 10 outdoor five-a-side pitches.
“Football is a sport that is growing rapidly in popularity as evidenced by the heartfelt reaction right here in Adelaide to the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship final just this week.
“Excitement around the sport is only going to continue to grow as we edge toward the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“Since coming into government we’ve invested more than $86 million in football facilities and programs across South Australia including $53 million for much-needed upgrades to Hindmarsh Stadium.
Since the Marshall Government was elected there has been an 18 percent increase in Football SA total participation across South Australia.
Soccer is also increasingly popular with South Australian kids with more than 5,560 sports vouchers already claimed this year for use on soccer registration or membership fees.
