Perth is set to play host to some of the world’s best female soccer stars, as the Government announces plans to welcome the Women’s Super League for a new event – the Perth International Football Cup.
Manchester City, West Ham, Leicester City as well as French team Paris Saint-Germain will be part of an exhibition tournament set to take place over a week in August.
And that will mean Matilda’s star Mary Fowler, Alanna Kennedy, Mackenzie Arnold, Katrina Gorry, Clare Hunt and Courtney Nevin could all play their part — fresh from participating in the Paris Olympics.
Premier Roger Cook said he anticipated large crowds of local, and interstate visitors would be in attendance, as well as travellers from South East Asia looking to get a taste of some of their favourite teams closer to home.
“(This event) is pitting four of the world’s best women’s football teams against each other over a week of top-tier football,” he said.
“We want Perth and Western Australia to be one of the great event destinations of south east Asia, so people in Singapore, Jakarta (and) other parts of south east Asia looking for a short stay will be incentivised to come Perth on that week so that they can be entertained and engage with their favourite football teams.”
The announcement comes following a swathe of premiere sporting and entertainment events which have been hosted in Perth recently including the WWE Elimination Chamber event in February, a series of FIFA Women’s World Cup matches and the Coldplay concert.
Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said the event would be another significant contributor to the State’s economy, adding the government was aiming to bring a range of events to the state with global audiences.
“As we know women’s soccer, women’s football is very much in demand across the nation,” she said.
“And we’re very very proud to have brought the Matilda’s here… and of course to be a part of the Women’s World Cup.
“These teams are some of the biggest names in international football and of course with a very strong Australian contingent.
“As part of our push for tourism, having these unique events and bringing them to WA helps support people travelling to Western Australia.”
Two of the matches will take place at HBF Stadium throughout the last week of August, with a double header to take place at Optus Stadium over the weekend.
August will be a busy month for WA sports fans, with the Wallabies set to take on South Africa at Optus Stadium on August 17, as well as a UFC event at RAC Arena the next day.
The announcement comes as registrations for women’s football around the state reached record highs following the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.