Vic Labor Bungle - Asian Cup Fiasco, 73535100, page-2 - HotCopper | ASX Share Prices, Stock Market & Share Trading Forum

Originally posted by daicosisgod ↑

Just when you think a female premier couldn't get it more wrong on promoting women's sport!

Jacinta Allan has overseen the second gretest non event for women in Victoria's history and only second to her cancelled Comm Games contract.

Having spent nearly $50m building a training facility to become the '..Home of the Matilda's..' The hopeless Vic Labor governbment declined to bid to hold Womens Asian Cup Football matches in Victorian. What an insult to Matrilda's supporters and a makes a mockery of the $50m spend on the Matilda's training base. It seems there is a pattern to spend money just to garner votes and not do any through that is actually constructive.

Cannot even blame Andrews for this crock of shite.

See report below.

**************************************************************************************************************
'So much for being home of the Matildas': Fans slam Allan government after failing to put in pitch for 2026 Women's Asian Cup

The Matildas will not play on Victorian turf during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026, after the Allan government failed to put in a bid to host the team.
Amy RoulstonDigital Reporter Sky News

April 23, 2024 - 9:00AM

Football Australia has announced New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia will host the Matildas for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, after no bid was made by Victoria.
Despite Victoria’s $42.29 million investment into the Home of The Matildas stadium, and the popularity of the squad, Victorians will either have to travel interstate or skip the tournament entirely.
The state will also miss out on the tournament's estimated $260 million economic output and the generation of more than 1,000 jobs.
CEO of Football Australia James Johnson said the support of government was “crucial” for the continued development of women’s football.
"The backing from all levels of government is crucial as we tackle the surge in participation and the urgent need for improved facilities,” he said.
“This support is essential to maintain the momentum and ensure the continuous development of the sport across the country."
Taking the nation by storm during the 2023 World Cup on home soil, the Matildas made it to the semi-finals, with the match against England becoming the highest rating program on Australian TV in more than two decades.

Matildas fans celebrate the team's first goal scored by Sam Kerr during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Semi Final match between Australia and England on August 16. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The success of the Matildas led to a nationwide boom in football participation, with a 12 per cent jump in 2023, and a remarkable 20 per cent increase in 2024 already.
Following the controversial move to cancel the Commonwealth Games, shadow minister for tourism, sport and events Sam Groth said the Allan Labor government must ensure Victoria does not miss out on major sporting events.
“Victorians from all walks of life want to see the Matildas succeed. It is therefore important they are able to play major events in the state that is the home of the Matildas," he said.
“With at least $600 million spent to cancel the Commonwealth Games and with international tourism not having returned to pre-Covid levels, Victoria cannot afford to have its reputation further damaged.
“The Allan Labor government needs to explain why they didn’t even make a bid to host the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.”

In a statement on Monday, the government said: "Victoria has a packed calendar of major events, and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to our state over the summer months for events including the epic Australian Open, the Boxing Day Test, the NGV Summer Series exhibition, Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and many others."
"We're a proud supporter of showcasing elite women's football with major events in Victoria including the recent Matildas Olympic Qualifier and the upcoming Arsenal Women's FC v A League All Stars Women on Friday, 24 May at Marvel Stadium."

Former captain and goalkeeper of the Matildas Melissa Barbieri told ABC the decision, appearing to be because of scheduling conflicts, was disappointing.

"It is disappointing because as a die-hard Victorian you love to see the Matildas up close and personal," she said.
"I think having conflicting arrangements [with other sports] you would hope that there is some room for negotiations with this sort of scheduling."

Expand

Here is another report on this Vic Labor fiasco.

******************************************************************************
Victoria a shock Matildas omission as AFC Women’s Asian Cup host

With Australia set to host the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, a decision regarding the Matildas has sparked outrage.

April 22, 2024 - 8:50PM Herald Sun

NSW, Queensland and Western Australia have been proposed as the host states for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, with Victoria and South Australia the major casualties.
Australia is the sole bidder for the tournament, which is set to generate $260 million in economic output.
Hosting rights will be announced next month by the Asian Football Confederation’s executive committee.
Watch selected NRL & AFL games, along with every F1 race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial today
The decision to leave Victoria off the list of venues comes as a shock given the new home base of the Matildas, literally called the “Home of the Matildas”, is in Bundoora in Melbourne’s north.
Melbourne has also turned out packed houses for games featuring the hugely popular Australian women’s team in recent years.
“Hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup offers a golden opportunity to continue the dynamic growth and popularity of women’s football in Australia,” Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said.

Hayley Raso (centre) and the rest of the Matildas captured the heart of a nation at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Australia co-hosted last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup with New Zealand, with the Matildas reaching the semi-finals.

“Last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup laid a robust foundation, and we are eager to build upon this legacy to further enhance our football landscape both nationally and regionally,” Johnson said.

Expressions of interest for Asian Cup venues reportedly began before the start of the Women’s World Cup.
All states and territories were invited to make submissions.

“We are also engaging with the governments of states and territories that were not selected to be put forward as proposals, to explore future opportunities and ensure that the benefits of football’s growth are shared nationwide,” Johnson said.

Fans packed out the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium during last year’s FIFA World Cup. (Photo by Mark Avellino/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

There was a fierce fallout to the decision on X, formerly Twitter.

“Football Australia not planning Women’s Asian Cup fixturing in Melbourne is either elitist rubbish or the Victorian Government showed no interest, despite being Home of the Matildas,” was one comment.
“Why did they bother building the Home of the Matildas in melbs then?” asked a disgruntled fan.

“The state that has “the home of the Matildas” facilities misses out. Very disappointing. Would be good to understand the reasons. Money? Stadium?” posed another.

“Pathetic and disgusting … home of Matild‍️as … booming grassroots competition and several A league mens / womens sides … not to mention the massive crowds during WC..but yeah nah lets play elsewhere ….would love to know reasons why … massive own goal in pr stakes,” added another.

Another fan wrote: “Again, Victoria is being left out, even though we have record crowds attending Matildas games in Victoria! Who is making these decisions?
“What the hell? No Melbourne!” added another.