Harper Sercombe
The Bundoora home base for the Matildas was formally opened on Monday, July 3.
The LaTrobe University site is part of an $101 million investment by the state government into the campus’ sports grounds.
The team is gearing up for its ‘send off’ clash against France on July 14, before its much anticipated start to the FIFA Women’s World Cup on July 20 against Ireland.
The state-of-the-art facility includes two hybrid turf pitches, two FIFA-grade synthetic pitches (with another to be constructed later this year), twelve change rooms , a fully-equipped gym, medical facilities, wet recovery areas, function rooms, coaching development spaces and an 800-seat grandstand.
Sports and Major Events Minister Steve Dimiopoulos said this facility is for the now and the future.
“It will help to develop the next generation of champions inspired by this year’s Women’s World Cup,” he said.
Thousands of community soccer players will also have the opportunity to train and play on the world class facilities, to create a tangible pathway from the grassroots to the elite at a single venue.
Football Victoria president Antonella Cares said this is where ambitions of female soccer will be supported like never before.
“This precinct has the power to drive tangible change in our game. We’re thrilled to unveil this precinct to our football community, a place we can all call home,” she said.
The precinct will also officially host the Jamaican women’s team during the World Cup.
Aspirations of further grandstand seating and community facilities to support the needs of soccer players across Victoria are now being worked on.
