- $2.4 million in grants for eight Women's Premier League teams participating in the 2024 season of the National Premier League Women's WA League
- Clubs allocated $300,000 each to support women's participation in football through infrastructure or facilities upgrades and new sporting equipment
- Cook Government delivering on $9.3 million commitment to ensure 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup continues to leave a lasting legacy in Western Australia
Eight women's football clubs in Western Australia have each scored $300,000 as part of State Government funding to ensure a lasting legacy after WA hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The $2.4 million in Legacy Grants for Women's National Premier League Clubs will pay for infrastructure and facility improvements to support female participation in football.
Recipients and projects include:
- Football West - $300,000 - Sam Kerr Football Centre Female Development Plan;
- Fremantle City Football Club - $300,000 - Wauhop Park Renewal;
- Perth Soccer Club - $300,000 - Project Matilda;
- University of WA Nedlands Football Club - $300,000 - UWA Sports Park (East) Female Facilities Improvement;
- Balcatta Football Club - $300,000 - Etna Women's Legacy Improvement Project;
- Murdoch University Melville Football Club - $300,000 - development of new clubrooms and floodlighting at Len Shearer Reserve;
- Perth RedStar Football Club - $300,000 - floodlighting and equipment; and
- Subiaco Association Football Club - $300,000 - to assist with the Women's Changeroom Facilities Upgrade.
The grants are part of a broader $9.3 million Cook Government commitment to invest in the world game at a local and grassroots level, following the resounding success of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, which also saw the CommBank Matildas' unprecedented run to the semi-finals.
Since then, female interest and participation in the game has risen exponentially, with a record increase of 10,500 players in 2024, reflecting a 32 per cent uplift, as well as a dramatic increase in the numbers of female coaches, referees, volunteers and representatives on committees.
Perth hosted five matches of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, attracting over 7,000 out-of-state visitors and generating $25 million for the WA economy.
As stated by Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
"These grants are all about leaving a lasting legacy for women and girls following the massive success of the FIFA Women's World Cup, and we're really proud to be supporting the game at grassroots level to make sure every young Western Australian has the opportunity to become the next Matildas star.
"We know that there has been a huge increase in enrolments in football since the event last year and this means clubs have had to adapt to ensure women and girls have equal access to facilities.
"This investment is all about supporting pathways for talented players to reach their full potential and compete at the highest level."
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"WA is kicking goals when it comes to football after the Women's World Cup in 2023, the naming of the State Football Centre after homegrown star Sam Kerr, Olympic qualifier Matildas games, and the upcoming football festival in August and September.
"It's important to capitalise on the current football fever by investing in the beautiful game at local and grassroots level, and that's exactly what our Legacy Grants for Women's National Premier League Clubs do.
"This $2.4 million commitment will provide quality community facilities for women to play football and I commend all the recipients for progressing these projects. The Cook Government is proud to support opportunities for female participation in sport through infrastructure upgrades, such as new changerooms and better lighting."
