The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) is proud to announce its sponsorship of the 2023 Festival of Community Soccer, which aims to encourage more young women and girls to participate in the sport.
The event will be a prelude to the FIFA Women’s World Cup which is being hosted by Australia and New Zealand next July. It will see up to 500 women and girls aged from 10 to adulthood take part in two days of five-a-side competitions. Qualifying matches will be held at Fremantle Oval on July 15, followed by the finals on July 16 at Tompkins Park in Melville.
Notre Dame is a Platinum sponsor of the Festival and joins other leading organisations, including the City of Fremantle, City of Melville and Perth Glory FC, which have already announced their support.
In addition to financial assistance, staff and students from Notre Dame’s School of Physiotherapy will also be on hand throughout the two-day event to support the competitors.
David Harrison, UNDA Pro Vice Chancellor of Communications and Engagement, said the fact that some of the Women’s World Cup games were scheduled to be played in Perth next year presented an enormous opportunity to encourage more local girls and women to get out and play the game.
“The objectives of this event also align with Notre Dame’s expertise in training the next generation of sport scientists and physiotherapists and we look forward to bringing our academic expertise to support players on the day,” Mr Harrison said.
“In the same way that Notre Dame strives to help its students to become the best versions of themselves, sport also teaches many important life skills that can help young people to reach their full potential. That includes learning to be a team player, coping with pressure and becoming more resilient in the face of setbacks or disappointments.
“We are proud to be supporting this event and very much look forward to the action getting underway next July.”
