The vast majority of women’s football fans heading to Australia for the World Cup will be spending their time on the east coast of the country where most of the big-name nations will be playing their matches. Impetus’ Ben Gilby is not following that trend. Instead, he’ll be covering the tournament’s group stages from the west coast capital of Perth. He explains why he’s thrilled to be going against the grain (18/7/23).
Above: The stunning city of Perth, where Impetus’ Ben Gilby will be spending the group stages of the World Cup. Photo: Ben Gilby.
Think of Australia as an English person and what comes to mind? Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and possibly the world-renowned cricketing mecca of the MCG in Melbourne.
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane – all capitals of the nation’s most populous states and home of the bigger venues being used at this World Cup, and, where many of the more favoured nations will be playing.
So, as someone soon to be heading out to the World Cup, that’s where you’d expect me to be going, right? Ah, no.
As soon as the dates for the tournament were announced and the Western Australian state capital of Perth was announced as a venue, my arrangements were made to spend the group stage out west.
If the World Cup was coming to Australia, it felt right that I should spend time watching matches in the city that introduced me to the women’s game some 15 years ago.
Football was always my sport of choice in England, but having family in Western Australia, I would always when out there try and get to watch my beloved Aussie Rules side West Coast Eagles. At one match in 2007, I overheard the following conversation at the Eagles’ cavernous then home of Subiaco Oval.
“Ya know Daniel’s got a little sister who’s pretty handy at soccer!”
The comment was made by a guy sat in the row behind me and marked the first time I was ‘introduced’ to Sam Kerr who would then have been 15 years old. The ‘Daniel’ is her big brother, who starred for the Eagles from 2001 to 2013, playing 220 games and winning the 2006 AFL Premiership.
The next day, upon catching up with my family out there, I asked them what they knew about ‘Daniel Kerr’s little sister.’ “Ah yeh, she’s some teenager from up the road in East Freo who’s going to be playing with Perth Glory next season.”
Coming back during the first-ever W-League season, then consisting of just ten rounds and eight clubs, I went along to watch the mighty Purples take on Queensland Roar (now Brisbane Roar).
Local kid Sam then originally became a player I followed as she was from up the road from where the Aussie branch of my family live, and then quickly represented the national side. Perth introduced me to women’s football. So when Perth got given World Cup group games, it was only right that I’d spend the whole of that part of the tournament watching games at the home of Perth Glory – HBF Park (not for me the ridiculous name of ‘Perth Rectangular Stadium’ its been given for the tournament to please FIFA’s sponsors).
Perth might not have the Matildas, England, the USA, or Sweden, but it does have a collection of games full of fascination and a real chance to set eyes on some legends of the game as well as a group of players from nations I would never have a chance to watch otherwise.
Game one in Perth for me is next Wednesday (26th July) with a fascinating encounter between Canada and the Republic of Ireland. The Olympic champions are potential winners of the tournament, and any opportunity to see Christine Sinclair in what is likely to be her final World Cup is not one to miss. Throw in the fact that Ireland are stubborn opposition who are more than capable of earning a point from the big names in the group, make this a game that is to be anticipated. With it being the pivotal second match for both nations, it is a potential make-or-break for Ireland.
Three days later, Panama take on Jamaica at HBF Park. Another chance to see a nation’s inspiration – Bunny Shaw – and the exciting attacking talent around her in the Reggae Girlz team. This is a vital game for the Caribbean side as victory would put them firmly in the race for a first-ever qualification for the last sixteen. Panama will also feel this is the match for them to take points from. Neither side will be able to afford to sit back and defend, making this a clash that could well thrill the fans.
My third game in Perth brings another nation with a big-name player – Denmark and Pernille Harder, taking on the outsiders from Haiti. With the Danes likely to be battling it out with China for second place in the group and goal difference potentially decisive, this will be a game that the Europeans will be going all out to win and score. The prospect of watching one of the real minnows at the tournament is one I’m really looking forward to – Haiti are an unknown quantity, and sharing my discovery from first-hand exposure to them is something I’m looking forward to sharing with the Impetus audience.
Finally, it will be a bit of a family affair as Colombia take on Morocco. My cousin is married to a Colombian, and we’re all going along together to be part of what should be a brilliant atmosphere for the last World Cup game in Perth. Both nations are likely to throw caution to the wind in a battle for points in their final group matches.
The fact that Perth will be off the beaten track for most World Cup visitors from overseas is also a bit of an attraction in itself.
By its very nature, the city is exceptionally laid back and runs at a much slower pace than life in Sydney or Melbourne. There’s time to stop for toasted banana bread and the best coffee on earth whilst next to the Swan River. A leisurely stroll round the bush and parkland of King’s Park. The atmosphere of Fremantle, and the calm of Cottesloe. I’ll start my World Cup the Perth way – chilled and full of hidden gems.
From Perth, it’s across to Sydney for the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Final, and Final. The tournament will then be building to a crescendo with 80,000+ crowds, fittingly in the busiest city in the nation. It will be a heck of a ride – come and join me and the rest of the Impetus team on it.
Impetus at the World Cup
Impetus will have 11 writers at the tournament attending games at the vast majority of the venues across Australia and New Zealand. We’ll be providing you with analysis, coverage of the atmosphere in the cities, and opinion articles.
We will also have writers based on three continents around the globe highlighting how the tournament is being viewed from their location.
Also, keep a close eye on our social media as our dedicated TikTok content creators will be uploading daily videos with footage from Australia and New Zealand as well as thoughts on the progress of the Lionesses from within England as well as Australia.
It will be a heck of a ride – come and join the Impetus team on it.
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
impetusfootball.org 