The Home of the Matildas
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| Location | Bundoora, Melbourne |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°43′24″S 145°02′31″E / 37.72320°S 145.04198°E |
| Capacity | 800 (seated) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 2023 |
| Opened | 3 July 2023 |
| Construction cost | $57 million |
| Tenants | |
| Australia women's national soccer team (2023–present) Melbourne Victory (A-League Women) (2023–present) | |
The Home of the Matildas is a soccer stadium in Melbourne, Australia. It is the home base of the Australia women's national soccer team, and the home of Melbourne Victory in the A-League Women in Bundoora, Melbourne, Australia. It has a seated capacity of 800.
History
Background and host selection
Since early 2019, Football Victoria proposed a home base for the Australia women's national soccer team (nicknamed Matildas) following interests from municipalities across Victoria to host the facility.[1] A $200,000 grant from the Andrews Government was funded into the establishment of the venue and state-of-the-art facility to host training camps and elite pathway programs for national teams, representative teams and coaching/development programs. The bids to host the venue were short-listed on 19 June 2019 and were between Brimbank, Casey, Darebin, Maroondah and La Trobe University (Bundoora).[2] The Victorian Government further provided $1.5 million into plan and design for The Home of the Matildas on 30 August 2020.[3] The host was announced as Bundoora and La Trobe University on 16 May 2021 and allowed the beginning of construction onwards.[4]
Official opening
The Home of the Matildas was officially opened on 3 July 2023 by Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos as the first and biggest soccer infrastructure projects in Australian history.[5] On 31 August 2023, the venue was selected to host Melbourne Victory's stand-alone A-League Women matches.[6]
Structure and facilities
Described as a "world-class facility" by Football Victoria, The Home of the Matildas features a FIFA and AFC compliant elite training facility with an extra five pitches involving two Premium pitches and three standard FIFA pitches.[7] The grandstand features 800 seats along with a terrace/balcony for standing rooms and overlooking the main pitch. The indoor interiors of the venue features a high-performance gym, sports science/high performance with also an elite-level recovery area, multiple change rooms including a circular locker room for the Matildas and a referee change room, function spaces, public cafe, dining room for players, lounge, study spaces, 2 sleep rooms, property office, and administration office for Football Victoria.
References
- ^ "Victoria leads bid to create the home of the Westfield Matildas". Football Victoria. 6 March 2019.
- ^ "Football Victoria short-lists bidders for national Home of the Matildas". Football Victoria. 19 June 2019.
- ^ "Victorian Government funding to deliver plans for Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University". Football Victoria. 30 August 2020.
- ^ "Victorian Government investments secures The Home of The Matildas". Football Victoria. 16 May 2021.
- ^ "The Home of the Matildas Opens Marking a Historic Moment for Australian Football". populous.com. 4 July 2023.
- ^ "The Home of the Matildas will host Melbourne Victory's women's team". Melbourne Victory. 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Project overview". Football Victoria. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
External links
- The Home of the Matildas – Football Victoria
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