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Sam Kerr of the Matildas

Photo: Sam Kerr of the Matildas runs for the ball during the AFC Women's Asian Olympic Qualifier match between Australia Matildas and IR Iran at HBF Park on October 26, 2023 in Perth, Australia. Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images.

WA’s new State Football Centre in Queens Park will now be officially known as the Sam Kerr Football Centre, as a nod to Perth’s homegrown football megastar.

Born and raised in Western Australia, Sam Kerr’s phenomenal football journey has become part of the State’s international identity.

As captain of the CommBank Matildas, she has represented Australia on the world stage, with all Western Australians proud of her connection to our State.

The State Government today (27 October 2023) announced that the world-class centre would be named in Sam Kerr’s honour. The naming is in recognition of her successful career to date, her contribution to professional and grassroots football, and the legacy she continues to leave in inspiring the next generation of footballers.

MC Amberly Lobo and the Matildas at the announcement

The $50.8 million facility, jointly funded by the WA and Australian Governments, is co-managed by VenuesWest and Football West. It includes a two-storey grandstand, 2 competition and training pitches and 3 five-a-side playing pitches. The infrastructure project was managed by DLGSC.

The centre was used as a training base by 5 international teams during the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Australia and New ZealandTM and will be home to the next generation of WA football players, supporting the development of the sport from grassroots to high-performance teams.

The new name was revealed at a community football festival attended by Sam Kerr and some of her CommBank Matildas teammates to celebrate the centre’s official opening and WA's growing football community and its achievements.

Premier Cook, Ministers Saffioti and Templeman and Sam Kerr in front of the Sam Kerr Football Centre corflute

 

The CommBank Matildas are in Perth for the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifiers. The first of 3 matches was played at HBF Park, with another one to be held there and another at Optus Stadium.

The State Government has also announced a new $9.3 million investment in grassroots football clubs and local facilities and infrastructure, to ensure WA’s successful hosting of this year’s Women’s World Cup delivers a lasting legacy for the world game in WA.

“As a proud West Australian, I am incredibly privileged to have this amazing State Football Centre named after me,” Sam Kerr said.

“It fills me with pride to think that football in WA is growing so rapidly in popularity and that children, at a grassroots level, as well as world-class sporting teams will be able to access these impressive facilities.

“Football centres, such as this, create opportunities for kids that enable them to reach their full potential, and that is the ultimate goal.”

State Football Centre

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Page reviewed 27 February 2023