Nic Street,Minister for Sport and Recreation
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is giving the State the best chance possible at hosting team base camps for the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Today I was pleased to join Football Tasmania to help launch its basecamp shortlist video in an effort to attract international teams to the State ahead of the 2023 World Cup. The video, which details the benefits of hosting basecamps in Tasmania, has been shown to FIFA representatives who will make a decision soon on which venues will be shortlisted for visiting teams to choose from.
At the 2021 State Election, our Government committed $10 million towards soccer facility upgrades at Devonport (Valley Road), Launceston (Birch Avenue and Churchill Park) and Kingborough (Lightwood Park).
These four facilities are potential base camp venues and today I was excited to see first-hand the work progressing on the $3 million upgrades at Lightwood Park. The improved facilities will be utilised by all levels of players, from grassroots to the elite level, and hopefully help to boost participation in the sport.
Football Tasmania is ramping up its efforts to secure the basecamp opportunity for the State.
“As the third biggest sporting tournament on earth, welcoming visiting teams for basecamps offers an enormous and very exciting opportunity for Tasmania. With basecamps also comes an increased likelihood of practice matches, which is a mouth-watering prospect for football fans who might get a chance to see the world’s best players in action on the playing field as well as on the training pitch,” Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley said.
The basecamps will provide a big boost to the local visitor economy and help to promote the round ball game in the State.
Our Government is delivering more elite sporting content for Tasmanians to enjoy, to provide pathways for local athletes and to encourage greater participation in sport.
