The Home of the Matildas
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| Location | Bundoora, Melbourne |
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| Coordinates | 37°43′24″S 145°02′31″E / 37.72320°S 145.04198°E |
| Capacity | 3,000 (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 an 800 capacity grandstand, and a total venue capacity of 3,000.[1][2][3]
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.[4] 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).[5] The Victorian Government further provided $1.5 million into plan and design for The Home of the Matildas on 30 August 2020.[6] The host was announced as Bundoora and La Trobe University on 16 May 2021 and allowed the beginning of construction onwards,[7] with construction due to be completed prior to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[8] The project is expected to cost $116 million, with the Federal government contributing $15 million,[9] and the Victorian government allocating $101.5 million towards the project, alongside the $1.5 million that was spent on planning. The upgrades include a marquee pitch with grandstand seating; four other pitches (Hybrid, natural grass, synthetic), a futsal court, and high-performance facilities including a gymnasium and wet recovery area, medical and rehabilitation centre, meeting areas and player lounge.
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.[10] On 31 August 2023, the venue was selected to host Melbourne Victory's stand-alone A-League Women matches.[11]
The Victory played their first home match at the venue on 15 October 2023, with the match attracting an attendance of 2,588.
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.[12] 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.
The pitch is expected to be utilized by the Matilda's for 140 days each year,[13] with the pitch being used for 6000 hours annually by La Trobe University students for around 20 hours a week, grassroots clubs, and training for volunteers and administrators. These new upgrades are expected to encourage research collaboration between high-performance expects and academics at La Trobe University.[14]
This area will also incorporate the Victorian State Rugby centre, which will possess a show pitch with grandstand seating, two additional pitches, and high performance facilities including a gymnasium, sport science, medical and recovery areas and a training and match day home for the Melbourne Rebels’ Super W team.
References
- ^ "First glimpse of The Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University". Football Victoria. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ "Women's football gets a big boost with new Home of the Matildas". Architecture and Design. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ Martelli, Joel. "Construction of Matildas state-of-the-art facility begins". Only Sports. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Football Australia and Football Victoria (FV) celebrate the Victorian Government's announcement confirming their investment to make the world-class Home of The Matildas at La Trobe University, Bundoora, a reality". Archived from the original on 15 May 2021.
- ^ Lynch, Michael. "Home of Matildas to be in Melbourne after $116m government backing". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 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.
- ^ "Matildas to get 'world class' football base in Melbourne's north ahead of 2023 World Cup". ABC News. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021.
- ^ "Soccer's World-Beating Matildas To Call Melbourne Home". Archived from the original on 15 May 2021.
External links
- The Home of the Matildas – Football Victoria
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