Sutherland Shire Football Association (SSFA) has continued its bid to host a visiting national team during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Australia and New Zealand will be hosting the tournament, with 16 of the 32 teams set to utilise Australian clubs as home bases.
SSFA have two areas that they must improve to be considered for the FIFA bid (irrigation and hybrid field upgrade, and 200 lux lighting), with the announcement to come in April 2022.
They have gained the support of Sutherland Shire Council, who have approved the trial of hybrid grass, and the association have submitted a grant application for the Greater Cities Sports Facility Fund Round Two.
SSFA Vice President Laura Cowell, who is running the #getonside2023 community bid, said that attracting a team would be a big deal for football in the area.
"We have 25 new female teams in the Shire and participation has increased," she said.
"By having a team stationed here, we would see people and fans come from outside the area, visiting and utilising local businesses, as would the visiting team.
"Everyone is working together to win this bid. Council is working with us to move forward with the trial.
"We're reaching out to the community to help. If we have enough people supporting this, it puts the pressure on."
A spokesperson for Sutherland Shire Council said that council staff are actively engaged in helping the association to identify and secure grant funding.
"Council staff are also assisting SSFA with the design of lighting upgrades ... and will continue to support the association as they work their way through the bidding process," they said.
"Hosting an international team would provide an unrivalled opportunity to expose local football fans to some of the world's best footballing talent, provide inspiration for the next generation of local talent and potentially spur on greater participation in what is already one of the strongest football catchment areas in NSW.
"The associated infrastructure improvements required will also provide a legacy that will continue to be of benefit to our community well beyond the tournament itself."
Finn Coleman
Having grown-up in the Hawkesbury, I understand the importance of the Hawkesbury Gazette in highlighting stories that members of the local community care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make our town unique.
Having grown-up in the Hawkesbury, I understand the importance of the Hawkesbury Gazette in highlighting stories that members of the local community care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make our town unique.
