In a major coup for the Central Coast, two of the region’s sporting venues have been chosen to host some of the world’s biggest and best football teams as FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Team Base Camps, along with three facilities in Sydney.
European Champions England will be based at Central Coast/Industree Group Stadium in Gosford with Germany to make Central Coast Sport and Recreation Complex at Tuggerah their home.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch welcomed the announcement and said the Coast community would provide a warm welcome to the squads.
“Central Coast has a proud footballing history with Central Coast Mariners calling the region home,” he said.
“The Central Coast community will adopt the teams as their own and no doubt provide a home away from home for the English and German squads.”
A Central Coast Council spokesperson said the region’s burgeoning football reputation had received another boost with the announcement.
“It is a huge coup for the Central Coast with both sides serious contenders to go deep in the tournament,” the spokesperson said.
“Germany is currently ranked third in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings with England just behind in fourth spot.
“Germany is one of the most successful and consistent teams in women’s football having won two consecutive world titles in 2003 and 2007 as well as eight European trophies.
“The 2023 Tournament will be England’s sixth appearance at a FIFA Women’s World Cup and comes off the back of an outstanding performance at Euro 2022 where the Lionesses won the final 2-1 at Wembley against a very committed German team.
“A team base camp is a crucial pre-tournament decision as it is where the all-important training is done and where the squad will stay and unwind between matches.”
The spokesperson said the teams who were impressed by the pitch standards included the recently upgraded floodlights at the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex, the privacy offered, as well as the relative proximity to Sydney.
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the region is now gaining global recognition.
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 is going to be huge for football and for Australia and we’re absolutely delighted that the Central Coast is going to play a part in its success,” he said.
“It is wonderful news to end the year and is a vote of confidence in our sporting facilities.
“I am looking forward to welcoming England and Germany in 2023.”
Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said she was confident the two teams will have a first-class experience.
“Football is huge in our community and having international teams here will inspire youngsters to dare to dream,” she said.
The teams will have exclusive access to the venues from July 1-August 20, 2023.
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the fact that more teams chose to be based in Sydney and the Central Coast over any other state reaffirmed NSW’s status as the major sporting events capital of Australia.
“Sports fans are reaping the rewards with Sydney hosting more matches than any other host city with more teams choosing to be based in NSW than any other state,” he said.
“Football fever will take over Sydney with the city hosting 11 games, including the opening match of the competition featuring the Matildas, as well as the Final.”
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said hosting the Team Base Camps in Sydney and the Central Coast would reinforce the benefits of hosting the global sporting celebration for the NSW visitor economy.
“We expect the event will attract more than 16,000 visitors across NSW, supporting the State’s ambition to be the premier visitor and events capital of the Asia Pacific,” he said.
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Chief Operating Officer Jane Fernandez said the selection of Team Base Camps marks another exciting tournament milestone.
“Team Base Camps are hugely important to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, offering them for the first time not only provides our teams with the very best environment to prepare for matches, but they also give local communities in NSW the opportunity to connect with the world’s best teams,” she said.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM will feature 32 teams competing in 64 matches across Australia and New Zealand during July and August with seven games at the Sydney Football Stadium and four at Stadium Australia, including a Semi-Final and the Final.
For the full fixture list and to purchase tickets, visit the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM website.
Terry Collins