Just when you think a female premier couldn't get it more wrong on promoting women's sport!
Jacinta Allan has overseen the second gretest non event for women in Victoria's history and only second to her cancelled Comm Games contract.
Having spent nearly $50m building a training facility to become the '..Home of the Matilda's..' The hopeless Vic Labor governbment declined to bid to hold Womens Asian Cup Football matches in Victorian. What an insult to Matrilda's supporters and a makes a mockery of the $50m spend on the Matilda's training base. It seems there is a pattern to spend money just to garner votes and not do any through that is actually constructive.
Cannot even blame Andrews for this crock of shite.
See report below.
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'So much for being home of the Matildas': Fans slam Allan government after failing to put in pitch for 2026 Women's Asian CupThe Matildas will not play on Victorian turf during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026, after the Allan government failed to put in a bid to host the team.
Amy RoulstonDigital Reporter Sky News
April 23, 2024 - 9:00AM
Football Australia has announced New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia will host the Matildas for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, after no bid was made by Victoria.
Despite Victoria’s $42.29 million investment into the Home of The Matildas stadium, and the popularity of the squad, Victorians will either have to travel interstate or skip the tournament entirely.
The state will also miss out on the tournament's estimated $260 million economic output and the generation of more than 1,000 jobs.
CEO of Football Australia James Johnson said the support of government was “crucial” for the continued development of women’s football.
"The backing from all levels of government is crucial as we tackle the surge in participation and the urgent need for improved facilities,” he said.
“This support is essential to maintain the momentum and ensure the continuous development of the sport across the country."
Taking the nation by storm during the 2023 World Cup on home soil, the Matildas made it to the semi-finals, with the match against England becoming the highest rating program on Australian TV in more than two decades.
Matildas fans celebrate the team's first goal scored by Sam Kerr during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Semi Final match between Australia and England on August 16. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The success of the Matildas led to a nationwide boom in football participation, with a 12 per cent jump in 2023, and a remarkable 20 per cent increase in 2024 already.
Following the controversial move to cancel the Commonwealth Games, shadow minister for tourism, sport and events Sam Groth said the Allan Labor government must ensure Victoria does not miss out on major sporting events.
“Victorians from all walks of life want to see the Matildas succeed. It is therefore important they are able to play major events in the state that is the home of the Matildas," he said.
“With at least $600 million spent to cancel the Commonwealth Games and with international tourism not having returned to pre-Covid levels, Victoria cannot afford to have its reputation further damaged.
“The Allan Labor government needs to explain why they didn’t even make a bid to host the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.”
In a statement on Monday, the government said: "Victoria has a packed calendar of major events, and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to our state over the summer months for events including the epic Australian Open, the Boxing Day Test, the NGV Summer Series exhibition, Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and many others."
"We're a proud supporter of showcasing elite women's football with major events in Victoria including the recent Matildas Olympic Qualifier and the upcoming Arsenal Women's FC v A League All Stars Women on Friday, 24 May at Marvel Stadium."
Former captain and goalkeeper of the Matildas Melissa Barbieri told ABC the decision, appearing to be because of scheduling conflicts, was disappointing.
"It is disappointing because as a die-hard Victorian you love to see the Matildas up close and personal," she said.
"I think having conflicting arrangements [with other sports] you would hope that there is some room for negotiations with this sort of scheduling."
