07 August 2023

How awesome are the Matildas! Tonight all eyes will be glued to the screen, watching these amazing athletes battle it out against Denmark, to, hopefully, be one step closer to winning the World Cup. What is just as awesome is that each of these female superstars wearing the green and gold is an inspiration for all young Australian women. Of course we all appreciate the exceptional talent, skills and determination of this legendary team, but the success of our Matildas also gives every young woman the right to dream big and every young girl the right to see herself on the world stage. That's why female sports infrastructure is a priority for the Albanese government.

In my electorate of Corangamite, the Commonwealth is funding female sporting facilities for the Barwon Heads Netball Club, the Portarlington Football Netball Club, Newcombe Power, the Torquay Football Netball Club, the Ocean Grove Football Netball Club and the Bannockburn Football Netball Club. This infrastructure matters. It ensures that Australian women and girls can have every opportunity to succeed in sport and in life. As we cheer on the Matildas tonight we are also cheering on every young woman with a sporting dream. I'd like to take this opportunity to give a particular shout-out to our local Matildas star, Kyra Cooney-Cross, who grew up in Torquay in my electorate. Go well!