It was a huge weekend of women’s football – and we’re not just talking about the Matilda’s epic win in a penalty shootout against France in the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter final.
Two massive clashes were held at the stunning new Home of The Matildas at La Trobe University Sports Park on Sunday.
The Essendon Royals defeated the Casey Comets in a nail-biting 4-3 showdown in penalties to claim the 2023 Nike F.C. Community Cup.
Then the Calder United made it their unprecedented sixth straight Nike F.C. Cup title with a thrilling victory over the Bulleen Lions.
Fresh off hosting the Matildas during their preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023TM, and the Jamaican team during the tournament, the Nike F.C. Cup marked the first ever public event at the incredible new facility.
‘We were thrilled to welcome Victoria’s football community to The Home of The Matildas, launching our female-first facility with the Finals matches of Victoria’s premier state knockout Cup – The 2023 Nike FC Cup Final,’ said Antonella Care, President of Football Victoria.
This $57.29 million centre of excellence will transform women’s football in Victoria, helping to grow our future female football superstars.
The Victorian Government provided $42.29 million as an investment in women’s football, with the Federal Government contributing the remaining amount.
‘What an extraordinary month we have had at our new football precinct, welcoming the best footballers from across the globe at a landmark time for our game,’ said Care.
Designed by women for women, this new state-of-the-art precinct will provide the best possible support over the coming years for our senior Matildas, as well as the ParaMatildas, Young Matildas and Junior Matildas.
Take it from Team Jamaica’s head coach Lorne Donaldson who said: ‘I wish we could take that facility with us back to Jamaica’ - these facilities are seriously impressive.
The facility includes 2 state-of-the-art hybrid turf pitches, 2 FIFA-grade synthetic pitches (with a 3rd scheduled for completion early 2024), 12 change rooms, a fully-equipped gym, medical facilities, modern wet recovery areas, coaching development spaces and an 800-seat grandstand.
What more could you want from a grand final pitch than to follow in the footsteps of some of the biggest women’s football superstars in the world?
The Victorian Government is proud to invest in football infrastructure that supports the growth of the game in Victoria, ensuring women and girls have the facilities they need to train and compete at the grassroots and elite levels. Events like the Nike F.C. Cup will help build our next generation of Matildas superstars who will shine in future World Cups.
Congratulations to all the players in the Nike F.C. Cup, it was another brilliant day of football, continuing a jam-packed month of women’s football across Victoria.