WA football legend Tash Rigby has hailed today’s confirmation by the State Government of a multi-million dollar investment into female football in Western Australia.
Ms Rigby, who is the Football West Manager ‑ Female Football & Advocacy, says the $2.4 million will benefit players from the grassroots up.
The money is to be used by clubs to support women's participation in football through infrastructure or facilities upgrades and new sporting equipment.
“It is fantastic to see the State Government continuing to invest in the women’s game in Western Australia,” she said.
“Investment is critical to ensure we continue to build a lasting and sustainable legacy for all women and girls involved in football.”
With female registrations in 2024 at an all-time high, Ms Rigby said the future looked bright for the females coming into the game.
“The success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup has seen a significant increase in the number of women and girls playing, coaching, volunteering and refereeing football in Western Australia,” the Perth Glory legend said.
“With a focus on equipment, infrastructure and facility improvement, these grants will assist in removing barriers by providing equal, positive and accessible opportunities for women and girls to pursue their chosen pathway in football, from grassroots to high performance.
“We have seen players come through to represent Australia at Junior and Young Matildas level, such as Hana Lowry, Georgia Cassidy and Grace Johnston, and this type of investment will hopefully lead to more young girls wanting to follow in their footsteps.
Ms Rigby, who was a Football West Legacy Ambassador Tash Rigby for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, added: “It is great that the State Government is giving this level of support to female football in Western Australia.”
The $2.4m in Legacy Grants for Women's National Premier League Clubs will pay for infrastructure and facility improvements to support female participation in football at the eight current NPLW clubs.
Recipients and projects include:
- Football West / Hyundai NTC: $300,000 - Sam Kerr Football Centre Female Development Plan
- Fremantle City FC: $300,000 - Wauhop Park renewal
- Perth SC: $300,000 - Project Matilda
- UWA Nedlands FC: $300,000 - UWA Sports Park (East) female facilities improvement
- Balcatta FC: $300,000 - Etna Women's Legacy Improvement Project
- Murdoch University Melville FC: $300,000 - development of new clubrooms and floodlighting at Len Shearer Reserve
- Perth RedStar FC: $300,000 - floodlighting and equipment
- Subiaco AFC: $300,000 - to assist with the women's changeroom facilities upgrade
The grants are part of a broader $9.3m WA Government commitment to invest in football at a local and grassroots level, following the resounding success of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup which also saw the CommBank Matildas' unprecedented run to the semi-finals.
Perth hosted five matches of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, with Government figures reporting over 7,000 out-of-state visitors and $25m generated for the WA economy.
That was followed by the CommBank Matildas playing three Olympic qualifiers in Perth, including a 60,000 sell-out at Optus Stadium, while next month’s Perth International Football Cup will see top women’s teams Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, West Ham United and Leicester City play a four-team tournament in the city.
Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said: “These grants are all about leaving a lasting legacy for women and girls following the massive success of the FIFA Women's World Cup, and we're really proud to be supporting the game at grassroots level to make sure every young Western Australian has the opportunity to become the next Matildas star.
“We know that there has been a huge increase in enrolments in football since the event last year and this means clubs have had to adapt to ensure women and girls have equal access to facilities.
“This investment is all about supporting pathways for talented players to reach their full potential and compete at the highest level.”
Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman said: “WA is kicking goals when it comes to football after the Women's World Cup in 2023, the naming of the State Football Centre after homegrown star Sam Kerr, Olympic qualifier Matildas games, and the upcoming football festival in August and September.
“It's important to capitalise on the current football fever by investing in the beautiful game at local and grassroots level, and that's exactly what our Legacy Grants for Women's National Premier League Clubs do.
“This $2.4m commitment will provide quality community facilities for women to play football and I commend all the recipients for progressing these projects.
“The Cook Government is proud to support opportunities for female participation in sport through infrastructure upgrades, such as new changerooms and better lighting.”