It continues to be an amazing day for the entire football community following this morning’s breakthrough decision that Australia and New Zealand have won the rights to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Football NSW spoke to some of our National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s stars and got their views on what this landmark decision has meant to them.
Ella Mastrantonio APIA Leichhardt FC
“This moment is unprecedented. What it will do for football in our country and for all the girls and women in our game and community is beyond measure. I feel especially happy and proud for the pioneers who came before us, who came from the days of so little support and recognition and laid the foundations and fought for everything we have in our game and society today. Get ready because football in Australia will never be the same and I can’t wait.”
Aimee Phillips Bankstown City FC
“I am ecstatic to hear the news. I have been teaching the whole day and can’t keep this cheesy smile off my face. This announcement will change history for the sport in our countries, we cannot even fathom the influence this event will have on girls and our two nations. And what an honour to fight for a place to be involved in that.”
Linda Dudek Blacktown Spartans
“This is massive news!! The biggest sporting event since the Olympics in 2000, will be held on our home soil and in NZ. It’s a very big achievement we can all be very proud of. Many dreamt, yet never believed something like this was possible. It is such a positive outcome for women’s football in Australia. I just love seeing women’s football develop and grow in such a fast pace around the world. This is so exciting- Can’t wait for 2023.”
Aideen Keane Football NSW Institute
“Absolutely delighted to see us hosting the World Cup, it’s truly amazing to see the payoff of all the hard work going into women’s football in Australia these past years.”
Margaux Chauvet Illawarra Stingrays
“I’ve watched every FIFA Women’s World Cup since I can remember. To be able to watch all of my favourite players live and attend a World Cup final is something I never thought I’d be lucky enough to do. Go Matildas!”
Ivana Galic Macarthur Rams
“I went to watch the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada and I remember how amazing the atmosphere was and thinking to myself wow imagine if Australia got the chance to host it one day and how great it would be. Now that it’s actually happened it’s so exciting and is going to be great for women’s football in Australia.”
Natasha Prior Macarthur Rams
“I think it’s the opportunity that Australian football deserves. As a country that sometimes plays a somewhat supporting role in football, I think this will well and truly launch us onto the centre stage and show that Australia has the ability to be number one in the world.”
Chloe O’Brien Manly United
“Bringing the world game to Australia is super exciting and will do wonders for women’s football at all levels. It’s really exciting for young female footballers who get to watch their favourite players and the world’s best players right here in Australia.”
Claudia Cholakian Manly United
“We’re one of the strongest nations for women’s football and we’ve proven on the world stage that we deserve to host the World Cup. This is the recognition we deserve on a national and international level and I hope that the tournament will encourage more girls and women in Australia and around the world to get involved in this amazing sport.”
Natalie Tobin NWS Koalas
“I think it’s an amazing achievement for our country and will only continue to progress Women’s football in Australia. It’s an exciting time to be an Australian female footballer.”
Daisy Arrowsmith Northern Tigers
“It’s an inspiration for footballers of all ages to be able to watch world class talent on home soil. It’s a massive step forwards for Women’s football in Australia.”
Taren King Sydney University SFC
“For me, a FIFA World Cup on Australian turf was an amazing thought and now it’s something that will become a reality. Being involved with the game in a number of different aspects, it’s hard to describe how big this is for female football in Australia, female sport in Australia and Australian athletes altogether.
“I think about my childhood and I can vividly remember watching the Socceroos on a small TV screen in the early hours of the morning at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Watching and experiencing those games on TV many years ago spurred my interest and my desire to achieve something with my football.
“A world stage on our doorsteps in 2023 is a privilege that most of our youth won’t ever completely understand, but will one day look back upon and owe their love for the game and successes to.
“I can’t wait for Australians to prove their worth and flock to support our Matilda’s in their pursuit of a dream World Cup win on home soil.”
Angelique Hristodoulou Sydney Olympic
“Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 is an absolute honour and a huge moment for women’s football in Australia. To be able to witness a World Cup on home soil is invaluable and is something I’m so excited about. What a time to be alive.”