- FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 fever hits Perth with a new interactive exhibition and oral history series at the State Library of Western Australia
- Free public opening celebration on today includes a panel discussion with Perth Glory captain Natasha Rigby, WA women's soccer pioneer, and WA Football Hall of Fame Legend Sandra Brentnall
- Stories will be shared in an immersive exhibition on a soccer pitch outside the State Library from 14 July to 28 August
With the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 the hottest ticket in Perth this winter, a new outdoor exhibition is giving seasoned and not-so-seasoned soccer lovers the chance to kick goals and learn more about the beautiful game.
Game Changers: Trailblazing Stories from WA Women in Soccer is being held at the State Library of Western Australia from 14 July to 28 August, with a quarter-sized astroturf pitch and ten soccer goals providing an all-ages interactive experience.
Visitors will see and hear a selection of stories about WA women in soccer that feature some of the sport's pioneering women and a timeline of the development of the sport in the State. Personal photos and other materials have been generously shared by the women and digitised by the State Library.
A panel discussion with experts in the field will get the Game Changers exhibition off to a winning start today. On the panel is Sandra Brentnall, who made a name for herself on the international soccer stage scoring Australia's first goal in 1979 and the first hat trick by an Australian in women's international football in 1980.
Hosted by ABC's Nadia Mitsopoulos, the panel also includes:
- Natasha Rigby: A leader in the women's game, Natasha grew up in Margaret River in WA's South-West, playing in boys' teams. After moving to Perth, she debuted for the women's senior team Perth Glory in 2016-17 and became Captain in 2019-20;
- Professor Sophia Nimphius: Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sport) and Professor of Human Performance at Edith Cowan University. Professor Nimphius has more than two decades of experience working, influencing and leading in sport; and
- Kris Marano: a leading soccer writer, Kris has more than a decade's experience in international media, communications and storytelling.
Natasha Rigby and Sandra Brentnall's ground-breaking stories are also featured in the Game Changers' ten-part podcast series available on the State Library's website, recorded in partnership with The Centre for Stories.
Other stories highlighted in the series include Matildas' stalwart and Sydney Olympian Tracey Wheeler, Katanning-born Matildas' superstar keeper Lydia Williams, and the National Soccer League's first female referee Marilyn Learmont.
The women's game is growing rapidly, with more than two billion viewers expected to tune in to the FIFA Women's World Cup worldwide.
Game Changers: Trailblazing Stories from WA Women in Soccer opens with a public reception on the pitch at the State Library building in the Perth Cultural Centre from 6:00 pm, followed by the panel discussion from 7:00 pm.
To register for the panel discussion and to find out more about the month-long interactive exhibit, visitwww.slwa.wa.gov.au
As stated by Acting Culture and the Arts Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"With soccer fever in the air, this is the perfect time to reflect on WA's incredibly rich history of producing superstar women in soccer - not only in those who play the game, but those who advocate for and promote it.
"We know that encouraging girls to play and keep up a sport can be tricky, so this month-long exhibition is a great opportunity to come along with the family and enjoy a great time with plenty of inspiration.
"Through projects like Game Changers, the State Library continues to reflect the diversity of the WA community by sharing the important home-grown stories it collects, preserves and shares. The exhibition and podcasts shine a spotlight on elite, internationally renowned sportswomen, grassroots stars and community leaders who are using women's soccer as a community-building tool for people with disabilities, migrants and LGBTQIA+ communities."
