Football fans on the Sunshine Coast will this week have the chance to see the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy up close.
With kick-off for the global sporting event less than a month away, the trophy is being taken on a tour of South-East Queensland after already visiting Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Hamilton and Dunedin.
The trophy will visit Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine coasts and Moreton Bay this week.
On the Sunshine Coast, the Trophy Tour drops in to WinterFest23, Queensland’s largest junior football carnival, at Maroochydore Football Club, Maroochydore Road, from 10.15am to 12.15pm on Friday.
Members of the public are encouraged to see the trophy, meet mascot Tazuni and get into the World Cup spirit as the state’s brightest talents put their skills to the test at WinterFest from June 28 to July 2.
Brisbane’s iconic Lang Park will host eight of the 64 matches held across Australia and New Zealand, including a quarter-final and the third-place playoff.
More than 200,000 tickets have been sold to the eight matches, with some still available.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk joined two-time Women’s World Cup winner American Kristine Lilly to unveil the trophy at South Bank in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Lilly is the most capped international women’s player in history, playing 354 times for the United States and was a member of the successful 1991 and 1999 World Cup-winning squads.
“Queenslanders far and wide are ready to cheer on the Matildas as we count down to the World Cup kick-off,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“More than 200,000 fans will cheer from the stands at Brisbane Stadium during Queensland’s eight matches, and billions more from around the world.
“This week we have the incredible opportunity to view the trophy up close before the 32 competing teams fight it out.
“Women and girls can do anything, and now it’s the Matildas time to shine – Queensland is behind you all the way.”
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Last year more than 70,000 women and girls across the state participated as football players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers, with that number set to soar on the back of a 19 per cent year-on-year increase seen already in 2023.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is forecast to generate $30.5 million for Queensland’s visitor economy and support 107 full-time jobs.
“We know women kicking goals on the national and international stage is inspiring a new generation of Queensland girls and women to sign on for team sport in communities around the state,” Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said.
FIFA Chief of Women’s Football Sarai Bareman said it was hoped the World Cup would spark even more interest in the game.
“We’re thrilled to bring the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour to Brisbane and the Queensland region,” she said.
“This tour celebrates the talent and passion of women’s football, inspiring the next generation.
“With remarkable support from Queensland, we’re creating a legacy for women’s football. Let’s unite and make the tournament a true showcase of the world’s game.”
Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci was also excited to welcome the Trophy Tour.
“The Trophy Tour will give members of our football community a wonderful, unique opportunity to see the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy in person, and a major coup for our game will be its appearance at Queensland’s biggest junior football carnival, WinterFest,” he said.
“Football is already the largest participation sport across both the state and country, and with women and girls continuing to join our game at considerable rates, Football Queensland remains committed to achieving our target of 50-50 gender parity in participation by 2027.”
World Cup match tickets are still available. For more on the Trophy Tour click here.
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