Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk reveals plans to honour the Matildas’ World Cup heroics with a statue outside Suncorp Stadium as Sam Kerr and Co. will join Wally Lewis
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk unveils plans to honor Matildas’ World Cup heroism with a statue outside Suncorp Stadium, while Sam Kerr and Co. join Wally Lewis
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The Matildas’ heroism at the World Cup is being honored with a statue outside Suncorp Stadium, after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the team deserved its place ‘among the greats’ of Australian sport.
Tony Gustavsson and his team received a special honor when they handed over the keys to the city of Brisbane on Sunday, with Palaszczuk thanking them for inspiring ‘so many more girls’ to take up sports.
The Matildas missed out on a place on the podium after losing 2-0 to Sweden in the third-place play-off in Brisbane, but their fourth-place finish is Australia’s best-ever result at a World Cup for both men and women.
And the Premier of Queensland revealed that there were plans for the Matildas to have a statue outside Lang Park alongside rugby league immortal Wally Lewis.
“As a lasting tribute to the Matildas of 2023, we will build a statue at Suncorp Stadium,” she said on stage at Brisbane’s Riverstage as thousands gathered for a public celebration of the Matildas.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has pledged to honor the Matildas with a statue outside Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The Matildas’ exploits at the World Cup were celebrated in front of a large crowd in Brisbane
“There are plenty celebrating our male sports champions, it’s time we celebrated women too (…) you deserve your place among the greatest.”
Palaszczuk said the Queensland government will fund the statue and discussion with Football Australia over the design was ongoing.
Responding to calls for more money from Gustavsson and Matildas skipper Sam Kerr, Palaszczuk vowed her government will leave no stone unturned to ensure the World Cup legacy is not wasted.
“Today is not about the end of something, but about the beginning of something new,” she said.
“We will increase existing funding for women’s football, including upgrades to major football venues across Queensland.”
On Saturday, Gustavsson urged Football Australia to ride the wave of excitement.
“We have a huge amount of work to do right now to take advantage of this,” he told reporters.
“And I’ve said it before, I don’t see this as the end of a journey. I see it as the beginning of a journey.
Australia’s fourth place is their best ever result at a World Cup
Known as The Emperor of Lang Park, Wally Lewis is now commemorated by a statue outside Suncorp Stadium
More than 5,000 fans turned out on Sunday to celebrate the Matildas in Brisbane
“But I also want to be very clear that I want to see investments now. Really and truly. I want to see investments. And I mean as a real investment that we’re serious about what we’re doing.”
The Matildas have captured the hearts and minds of the nation, with the semi-final against England reaching a peak of 11.1 million viewers and an average audience of 7.13 million according to OzTam ratings and Channel Seven.
The huge TV audience was mirrored in sold-out stadiums and live venues across the country and Kerr paid tribute to the public support the team received throughout the tournament.
Tony Gustavsson (left) and Sam Kerr (right) have both called for more money for football
“The fans did this,” she said.
“I mean, we would have played the World Cup with one person in the audience, so for you to pack the stadiums every game, it’s a dream come true.
“The fans outside our hotel, outside the stadium, messaging, wearing the guernseys – we see everything, we appreciate everything.
“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for everyone, but it’s been the best four weeks of our lives.”