The Minns Labor Government has today unveiled the artist and artwork that will be projected onto Accor Stadium to celebrate the Matildas’ history-making campaign at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
This is the first mural in a new series that will commemorate the greatest moments in sport and entertainment at Australia’s home of major events at Accor Stadium, which is celebrating 25 years since the 2000 Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In their first World Cup on home soil, the Matildas progressed through to the semi-final smashing all records in the process across crowds, TV viewership and inspiring a new generation with rapidly increasing participation rates.
Artist Kirthana Selvaraj has painted a striking artwork that captures the key players who inspired a nation. The artwork will be transformed into a 57-metre-long immersive mural that extends across the exterior of Accor Stadium’s Cathy Freeman Stand.
Matildas captain Sam Kerr’s wonder strike and celebration against England has been illustrated in the mural, as has Mackenzie Arnold’s brilliance in goals and young star Courtney Vine’s composure to kick the winning penalty goal against France in the quarter-final, among other key moments.
The public will have an opportunity to view the mural for the first time in April to celebrate the team’s two upcoming Sydney and Newcastle games which have been announced for April 4 (Allianz Stadium) and April 7 (McDonald Jones Stadium).
Sydney was the main host city of the tournament, with 11 games and more than 600,000 fans hosted across Accor and Allianz stadiums.
This mural further builds on the Minns Labor Government’s acknowledgement of great female athletes in our sporting venues including through the renaming of Accor Stadium’s eastern grandstand in honour of sporting legend Cathy Freeman OAM.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“It’s long overdue that our nation’s inspirational female athletes are provided with recognition of some of the greatest sporting achievements in our nation’s history.
“The Matildas captivated the nation like never before smashing all kinds of records and inspiring a new generation of sports stars, participants and fans.
“Their game-changing tournament will be perfectly honoured with this mural which will be fittingly projected onto the exterior of the Cathy Freeman Stand – the first grandstand in a major Australian stadium to be named after a female athlete.”
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“The saying goes, you can’t be what you can’t see. It’s fair to say the Matildas World Cup campaign opened the eyes of a generation.
“The Matildas effect is still being felt today with more girls and women playing the game thanks to the team’s achievement at the Women’s World Cup.
“This mural will forever celebrate the success of the Matildas who inspired us all.”
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
“The Matildas are one of our most admired national sporting teams and have inspired a whole generation of women and girls to participate in sports and dream big.
“This mural is a great way to immortalise an incredible sporting moment, as well as public recognition of women’s sporting achievements.
“It also symbolises the NSW government’s ongoing commitment to recognising and empowering women and girls to have full access to opportunity and choice, and excel in the world of sport.”
Artist Kirthana Selvaraj said:
“It has been an honour to create this painting commemorating the Matildas during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“Women in sport have always been a vital part of the game’s history, and this work is a celebration of their enduring legacy.
“Through this piece, I hoped to capture not only the strength and grace of the Matildas but also the unyielding spirit and unity they inspire in all of us.
“I hope this artwork stands as a permanent reminder of the impact women have made – and continue to make – not just on the field but in shaping the broader public’s connection to sport. It’s a tribute to the trailblazers who came before, the athletes who shine today, and the young people who will carry their legacy forward.”
