by Kris Goman at Circular Quay, Sydney for Impetus (13/6/24)
Above: Young Matilda Sasha Grove and Matildas Cortnee Vine, Lydia Williams, and Courtney Nevin at Circular Quay today. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
This morning the Federal Minister for Sport, Anika Wells announced a $15 million funding investment to support Australia’s hosting of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
She said, “The Tillies and the 2023 Women’s World Cup redefined Australian sport and now the Albanese Government is backing the Matildas again with a $15 Million investment for the Women’s Asian Cup.”
“Women’s sport is not a nice to have or a phase, it is brilliant, nation-stopping, and here to stay”
“I am determined to use sport as a vehicle for gender equity and I’m determined to use sport as a vehicle for preventative health and for happiness and that’s what the Matildas bring.”
She went on to describe her excitement when watching Cortnee Vine score the winning penalty over France at the Women’s World Cup semi-final and how she watched it with Prime Minister Albanese and how she was jumping for joy.She said the Prime Minister was also “delirious with joy but in a more statesmanlike way.”
She was joined at the announcement by Football Australia’s CEO, James Johnson who thanked the Federal Government for their continued support.
“Australia is a recognised global leader in hosting major international football tournaments as demonstrated by our delivery of the best ever FIFA Women’s World Cup last year”, Johnson said.
“We convey our sincere appreciation of the Federal Government’s substantial investment today which now ensures Football Australia is well positioned to continue this tradition. With the competition poised to commemorate its 50th anniversary next year, it’s our ambition to elevate the experience of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup to a level that celebrates women’s football in our regions, and further ignites dreams of the next generation of footballers throughout our confederation.”
“Football has demonstrated that it is not only a wonderful vehicle for social inclusion, cohesion and change but investing into football tournaments such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026, makes economic sense though the significant boost into the domestic economy because of the tournament. Through our CommBank Matildas we have exhibited the powerful potential of women when they are invested in and engaged.”
Matildas Lydia Williams, Cortnee Vine and Courtney Nevin as well as Young Matilda Sasha Grove were all present at the announcement and welcomed the large investment for the Asian Cup.
Williams spoke for the team when she described how excited they are to be playing an Asian Cup at home in front of family and friends. “We love playing at home. I think it’s going to be really exciting. Now we’re at the stage where we want to win and bring something home and to be putting ourselves on the map, not only in Asia but the world. I definitely think a home Asian Cup is something that we’re all really excited for and the prospect of winning at home is definitely a little bit extra.”
“To have two major tournaments in the space of three years is really exciting and really special. Hopefully, the momentum keeps growing from that.”
The 12-nation tournament will be held in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia in 2026 with the investment package set to aid in the successful delivery of Asia’s premier women’s football competition that is anticipated to result in over $250 Million injected into the local economies, 24,000 international visitors to Australia, over 1,000 jobs and a global television audience of hundreds of millions.
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