UPDATE: A high-ranking FIFA delegation is in Perth this week to inspect venues ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™.
Secretary General Fatma Samoura and Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman visited Perth Rectangular Stadium and Sorrento FC’s Percy Doyle Reserve on Thursday, as well as meeting Deputy Premier Roger Cook and Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman.
The State Government has invested over $35 million to upgrade HBF Park in readiness for the five group games which will take place there, and the results were not lost on Madame Samoura.
“This is exactly one year after my first visit to Perth Rectangular Stadium, and I can say, ‘Yes, Perth is ready to welcome the world to witness one of the biggest and best Women’s World Cups ever’.
“In terms of investment, the State Government has done quite a lot to upgrade the facilities to make them more gender friendly but also to make sure spectators coming here can make the best of their time in Perth.”
Mdme Samoura was speaking at Percy Doyle Reserve, where the Haiti team will be based during the competition. Sorrento FC President Nico Hoyle gave Mdme Samoura and Ms Bareman a tour of the revamped venue, which has received a $1 million State Government facilities upgrade.
While there, the FIFA party presented Sorrento with a certificate to recognise the Duncraig-based club becoming the first in WA to receive a One Star Award under Football Australia’s new Game Changer Club Development program. The award was for the work Sorrento have done in developing their female football program.
Mdme Samoura said: “I’m here to say how important it is for FIFA to develop grassroots football, and also to award the Game Changer accolade to clubs who are part of the Football Australia Game Changer program, to use football as a unifier and an equaliser, because football has the power to unite and bridge the gap and promote gender parity.”
Football West CEO Jamie Harnwell said: “It’s fantastic to have the delegation from FIFA coming out to Western Australia to inspect not only Perth Rectangular Stadium but the training sites, and to have the opportunity to bring them out and show them community football here in WA is very powerful.
“They’re very passionate people, they love what they do, they love to see the grassroots, and we certainly demonstrated that strength.
“There’ll be some great things coming in the lead-up to Women’s World Cup but the important thing is that we then support the game in the future for all of our female players.”
Mr Harnwell added: “Legacy is a huge part of the Women’s World Cup, that has continuously been spoken about by FIFA, it’s been endorsed and supported by WA State Government as well, so they can see the value already in the investment in facilities that has happened in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup.
“Community facilities are critical for Football West and for FIFA. We’ve already seen some significant upgrades across some great community facilities, and continued investment across lighting and gender-neutral change rooms so all players feel comfortable and have a place to play. This is something we are very keen to continue to work closely with the State Government to develop.”
- On Friday Mdme Samoura visited Kingsway Reserve, home of Olympic Kingsway, which will be used by Denmark during the FIFA Women's World Cup.
She was joined by the City of Wanneroo's Coordinator Parks Technical Chris Langsford, Director Assets Harminder Singh, Manager Community Facilities Rohan Klemm and Coordinator Community Facilities Planning Peter Hoole.
