Football Australia (FA) Legacy ’23 Ambassador impressed with progress of the Home of the Matildas (HOTM)
The Home of the Matildas is part of the La Trobe University Sports Park, a world-class precinct for teaching, research, community participation, and elite sport.
FA Legacy ’23 Ambassador Azmeena Hussain OAM said the HOTM was “coming together” after visiting the site.
“It’s incredible to actually see it in real life after seeing it on paper for so long,” she said.
Legacy ‘23 is an ambitious five-pillar plan to ensure the FA delivers positive and enduring benefits for Australia’s largest community sport, beyond 2023, including becoming the first community sport to reach gender parity in participation by 2027.
Azmeena Hussain OAM is a director with Football Victoria (FV) and social justice advocate who is passionate about empowering young women and girls both on and off the field. She has a strong dedication to taking a stand for greater equality and diversity in sport and has an inspiring journey to becoming the first Muslim woman to become a partner at her law firm.
Hussain said the soon-to-be-complete HOTM would springboard women’s football in Victoria at FV’s Community in Business Full-Time luncheon.
“I can’t wait for it to be completed, I am very excited,” she said.
“The centre is designed for women, by women, which will most certainly springboard our commitment to gender equality by 2027.
“It is so important that women are infiltrated inside every aspect of this game.
“To know that we have a centre that will help achieve that is absolutely terrific.”
The FV director also noted the HOTM would service more than just elite footballers.
“What I think is terrific about the centre is that it doesn’t just have a focus on players but looking at football holistically,” she said.
“The centre will also focus on building the capacity of referees, coaches, administrators, and of course women’s leadership in football.”
Stage one of the facility which is on track to be completed in March 2023 will deliver five hybrid, natural and synthetic pitches, with grandstand seating for over 800 spectators and a full capacity in excess of 3,000 around the show pitch.
The main building will encompass a 400sqm gym, an extensive sports science zone, an elite level recovery/wet area, multiple change rooms including a purpose-designed circular Matildas locker room, theatrette, function/meeting spaces, and Football Victoria’s administration offices.
The Victorian Futsal community will hail the construction of a purpose-built Futsal pitch alongside the show pitch, providing the fast-growing indoor version of our game with its own premium arena, within this home of football.
The Young Matildas, Future Matildas, Socceroos, and Olyroos will also utilise the purpose-built training facility, to support their aspirations on the world stage.
For more information on the project, including a project overview, the latest news, and renders, visit the new project site at homeofthematildas.com.au