The English Lionesses have departed Terrigal and Gosford, heading home after their best-ever World Cup campaign.
The team was living at the Crowne Plaza, Terrigal, and training at Gosford’s Industree Group stadium during the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which concluded last Sunday.
Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart has praised the team for its contribution to the area.
“While the Lionesses were no one’s favourites after knocking out the Matildas in the semi-final, they were a very gracious team to host, as were the German team,” Hart said at the August 22 Council meeting.
“We were very luck to have two international teams based on the Coast.
“The English team is to be applauded for the way they behaved here.
“They also left gym equipment valued at more than $300,000 for the Central Coast Mariners.
“The Coast benefitted quite dramatically from hosting the overseas teams, with FIFA assisting Council staff to get the stadium and the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex (where the German team was based) to perfect condition.”
Team members were also good customers at local businesses, using their off time to pick up a little bit of the Central Coast to take home.
Owner of The Beholder at Terrigal Leah Fotofilli was thrilled when some of the stars of the team popped in to pick up some local gifts.
Hart also formally acknowledged the “outstanding” Matildas for their history-making performance in the World Cup.
“Their fourth-place finish is the highest achievement Australian soccer has ever recorded,” he said.
“The way they have united and inspired us as a nation will never be forgotten.”
Hart said the World Cup would super-charge the future of women’s sport in Australia and acknowledged the fact that the Mariners will field a women’s team in the A-League competition for the first time this year.
CCN Football