The NSW Government is calling for all sports fans to nominate their favourite Australian female sporting hero to be the namesake of the Eastern Grandstand at Accor Stadium, with submissions extended until 26 May.
More than 3,500 people have already submitted a nomination on the Have Your Say webpage since it opened on 20 April. The popularity has resulted in the survey being extended from its original closing date of 18 May.
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People visiting Accor Stadium to watch the NRL matches on Friday 12 May and Saturday 13 May will also be able to cast their vote by scanning QR codes that will be posted around the stadium.
The only criterion for nominations is that the athlete be an Australian female sportsperson.
The public’s nominations will be assessed by a panel of judges drawn from the sport, government and media industries, before a recommendation is made to the NSW Government.
The grandstand is expected to be named after the winning athlete in time for the opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, being held at Accor stadium on Thursday 20 July.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“This program to rename the eastern grandstand of Accor Stadium after an Australian female athlete is an overdue but exciting opportunity to recognise the incredible contribution women have made to our sporting culture.”
“Some of the most famous moments in Australian sport have taken place at Accor Stadium, including Cathy Freeman and Louise Sauvage’s gold medals at the Sydney Olympic Game, and it is fitting that every sports fan can now have their say and help rename a grandstand here after women with such iconic sporting achievements.”
NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
“This renaming program is much more than just stadium signage – it is a sign to the thousands of girls out there training to be the best in their sport that their achievements are significant, and that one day sports fans could be sitting in a grandstand named after them.”
“We are in the exciting countdown to the FIFA Women’s World Cup with games to be held here in NSW, and at Accor Stadium.”
“The World Cup will be one of the biggest platforms for women’s sport ever, and there is no better time to recognise our female athletes than right now.”
NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“It is no secret that the NSW Government is committed to increasing the levels of female participation in sport but we are also committed to equal recognition of sporting achievements.”
“Accor Stadium is a centrepiece of sport in NSW and it is simply common sense to make sure our nation’s best female athletes are recognised there.”
