Football Australia Executive Director of Football Heather Garriock has sent a message to Australian politicians to seize the moment and invest in football off the back of the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign or risk being left behind globally while not having enough facilities to support the local demand to play the sport.
With the Socceroos once again uniting the nation with their exploits on the world stage, Matildas legend Garriock said the time for support from the sidelines is over, with the game now making a strong a case as ever for funding commensurate with the level of participation in the sport.
This pitch has been headlined by a desire to build a Home of Football; Football Australia is seeking $50 million in funding for a mooted $150 million facility, with an ideal location having been identified.
$513 million has been revealed this week as part of the build-up to the Brisbane Olympics, where football will fight amongst 68 other sports for a slice of the pie determined on what medal prospect they are considered. Football360 understands this assessment will work favourably for the Matildas, but not the Olyroos. With football’s vast footprint in the county and participation in World Cups and Asian Cups in both genders and across multiple age groups, there is no similar funding that extends to support performance in these competitions; it is guided solely by Olympic competition.
Garriock argues it is football’s turn to be given proper consideration for commensurate investment and provides Australia with a sport that can offer return on investment for the country beyond results on the park.
“Our Socceroos have done us proud, our Matildas have done us proud on the world stage. But you know what’s missing? It’s a home of football,” Garriock told Football360.
“You’ve worn the jerseys, you’ve attended our games, you supported us on the field.
“Football Australia needs off-field support from the government.
“Our home of football is the missing piece for our next generation to celebrate our history, but also to celebrate our current Socceroos and Matildas.”
The World Cup has once again showcased the unique opportunity football presents Australia – the best window for the world to view us, and a great conduit for Australia to the world.
“We are the only sport, the only game, that can open doors globally,” Garriock added.
“Both on and off the field. Politically, sports diplomacy, economically, communities coming together. We need you to support football with a home of football.”
Off the back of the Socceroos, it is time to invest in football, says Football Australia. Photo: Aleksandar Jason
Why is this the priority for the sport at the moment, with Football Australia actively campaigning for support with this investment? In a recent interview with Football360, FA CEO Martin Kugeler also declared the Home of Football a missing piece of the puzzle in Australia, and for investment to ensure that the future of the Socceroos and Matildas is not taken for granted.
“It’s detrimental for the future of Australian football not to have a home of football,” Garriock said.
A recent report showed a $2.8 billion infrastructure gap for the sport.
“Facilities are the first thing that we’ll be advocating going back home.
Martin Kugeler and Heather Garriock at Football Australia HQ. Photo: Supplied
“It’s our job at Football Australia to make sure we can influence in a way that’s obviously going to help build one of our key objectives, (which) is to increase participation, and with that comes facilities.”
In the past, football has been accused of coming to governments in a disconnected, fragmented way.
“We’ve got a plan now,” Garriock said. “That’s what the government asked for. We’ve got a plan and we now need to implement that plan with the government and partnering with government.”