One of the biggest global sporting events of 2023 has arrived on our shores, and our local football clubs are set to be a part of it.
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is underway in Australia and New Zealand, and is expected to bring in more eyes than ever to the game of Women’s Football. The Australian Matildas, ranked 10th in the most recent FIFA rankings, got their campaign underway with a 1-0 victory at Accor Stadium, despite star striker Sam Kerr being ruled out with a calf injury.
But perhaps bigger than the result on the scoreboard, was the immense turnout from the Sydney faithful. An attendance of 75,784 fans broke the record for largest Women’s Football crowd in Australia, and also broke the record for attendance at any Matildas fixture.
The women’s game on all levels has continued to grow in Australia over recent years, with Football Australia stating that women now make up 22% of the participation pool. With the aim to create a 50/50 split by 2027, this extraordinary event on our shores is looking to shape this new direction.
The clubs involved in the Northern Suburbs Football Association are making sure to play their part in the involvement and promotion of this spectacle. A number of young aspiring footballers from teams including Kissing Point FC, Prouille FC, Hornsby Heights, Hornsby RSL, Northern Galaxy, and Berowra FC, will be involved in a number of the fixtures as flag bearers for the nations.
In addition, the Northern Suburbs Football Association has been able to organise 3 official watch party locations in conjunction with various local councils across the North Shore. These events will be held at the St Ives Village Green, The Concourse at Chatswood, and North Sydney Oval. Certain clubs will also be holding watchalongs on their own premises across the month of Football.
Leading into the opening fixture, Kissing Point FC was instrumental in hosting a refereeing course, which involved 18 new female referees looking to obtain their Level 4 course credentials. With the support of our local area, the Matildas will be looking to go all the way and claim our nation’s first ever FIFA World Cup Title.
