Football in NSW will receive a $10 million boost from the NSW government as a legacy of hosting matches in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
The NSW Football Legacy Program will support football at all levels through the construction of new community facilities, participation initiatives, high performance, leadership and development programs as well as tourism and international engagement.
Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said the NSW Football Legacy Program would ensure everyone involved in football across NSW will benefit from the state hosting matches at the tournament.
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will take football in this country to unprecedented levels,” Ayres said.
“Sydney will host more matches than any other host city and the NSW Football Legacy Program will ensure everyone, from girls and boys lacing up their boots for the first time at the local park to our elite A-League Women, will benefit from NSW hosting matches at the tournament.
“I encourage the football family to apply for grants when the Legacy Fund opens later this year.”
Football Australia CEO James Johnson said the NSW Football Legacy Fund will enable the football community throughout NSW to support the growth of football well beyond the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
“One of the core objectives of our Legacy ’23 plan and Australia’s co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is to create enduring tangible benefits for the community,” Johnson said.
“And thanks to the establishment of the NSW Football Legacy Fund by the NSW government, more people throughout the state will benefit from new and enhanced football-specific programs and facilities for many years to come.”
Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said NNSWF greatly appreciated the NSW government’s significant investment in football through the $10 million NSW Football Legacy Program.
“The NSW Football Legacy Fund aligns with NNSWF’s Strategic Plan and provides NNSWF with a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to partner with government to secure an enduring legacy for our game and communities,” Eland said.
“NNSWF’s Board of Directors have committed to complement the NSW government’s investment through the engagement of a dedicated Legacy Workforce consisting of three full-time staff who will assist affiliated clubs and stakeholders to engage and take advantage of the various programs, services and funding opportunities aligned to the fund.
“The fund includes a comprehensive suite of programs, services and funding opportunities which aim to increase the overall presence and participation of females as the game strives to achieve participation parity. A significant amount of funding has been set aside specifically for affiliated clubs to apply for funding to drive female participation.
“Ensuring our game has significantly more females fulfilling roles including coaches, match officials, office bearers and administrators is crucial to the game’s continued growth. Providing opportunities for aspiring female leaders in our game to upskill will enhance diversity and improve governance throughout our game.
“The fund also includes a significant investment in local football facilities to ensure that more community facilities can cope with the ever-increasing demand from females to play our game. NNSWF’s audit of facilities revealed an acute need for investment in gender neutral amenities.
“Talented female players in regional NSW will continue to be supported financially to meet the costs associated with travel and attending camps and tournaments. The fund will also provide female Indigenous players, match officials, coaches and administrators with scholarships to develop and inspire the next generation of Indigenous participants.”
Football Australia Head of Women’s Football, Women’s World Cup Legacy & Inclusion Sarah Walsh said today’s announcement represented a significant milestone for football in NSW.
“As Australia’s largest community sport, we are experiencing extraordinary growth in women and girls’ participation,” Walsh said.
“As we strive for 50/50 gender participation both on and off the field, the NSW Football Legacy Fund will deliver much needed investment across the entire football ecosystem. We look forward to working together with the NSW government to ensure that together we reach this goal.”
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will feature 32 teams competing in 64 matches across Australia and New Zealand during July and August with seven games at the Sydney Football Stadium and four at Stadium Australia, including a semi-final and the final.
To see the full fixture list, visit the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 website.
