Football Queensland (FQ) will deliver its vision for a game-changing FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 legacy in the state when it joins Members of the Queensland Parliament on the Speaker’s Green to celebrate the past, present and future of women’s football on Tuesday.
FQ has developed a three-year Women and Girls Strategy designed to drive widespread participation, infrastructure and club development improvements before and after the world’s largest women’s sporting event comes to Australia and Queensland in 2023.
“The forthcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup is a wonderful opportunity to deliver immediate and long-term football, community and economic benefits for our game and for all Queenslanders,” FQ President Ben Richardson said.
“More than 1 billion people watched the France 2019 tournament and this next event on home soil is destined to be biggest global event in Australia since Sydney 2000.
“It is crucial that FQ and the football community work with state and local government on maximising this immense potential.
“That is why we have developed a Women and Girls Strategy so closely linked to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, with clear goals and funding objectives for the game.”
FQ Board Member Amy Chapman, a former Westfield Matilda, highlighted the strong opportunity to inspire young girls to get involved in football, Australia’s most popular club-based participation sport.
“I am extremely proud to have represented my country at the highest level and I want more and more Queenslanders to enjoy that same experience,” Chapman said.
“We have a fantastic track record of developing international players in this state from the early days of the Matildas right up to now. There are strong, successful pathways in place.
“In the Women and Girls Strategy, FQ outlines our ambition for all Queensland state schools to support this by delivering football programs for girls.
“With support from key stakeholders including the State Government, we can deliver on what is a bold approach to developing homegrown stars and promoting healthy lifestyles.”
Tuesday’s Parliament House event also marks the official commencement of FQ’s wider celebration of the centenary season of women’s football in Queensland, which is recognised as beginning with a public match at the Gabba on 24 September 1921.
The new Football Queensland History website tells the story of the game’s evolution through a digital museum documenting important developments in all areas of the state.
“As we unite football in Queensland, FQ is extremely proud to embrace the game’s rich history,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci.
“The timing of the centenary season, together with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, aligns perfectly with our stated belief and embraced position that women and girls are the future.
“We are continually rolling out participation, infrastructure and community initiatives that recognise this reality, support our clubs and grow the game, just as the Women and Girls Strategy will do.”
CLICK HERE to download Unlocking The Legacy – FQ’s Women and Girls Strategy for 2021-2023, or visit footballqueenslandhistory.com to tour FQ’s new digital museum.
