By Tate Papworth
Sydenham Park has been identified as Brimbank’s best location for the new home of Australia’s national women’s soccer team.
Earlier this year Football Victoria (FV) released an expression of interest process to develop a “home of football”.
The facility will house the Matildas and offer a range of other options for community use.
Last June FV identified Sydenham Park as one of five sites listed for further evaluation.
Council officers sought clarity as to what community benefit would be available if chosen, but FV said the community benefit would be fully articulated should Brimbank proceed to the next stage.
However Green Gully Soccer Club football operations manager Raymond Mamo said there were obvious benefits.
“The Matildas are one of Australia’s most loved teams,” he said.
“If we are to be successful, it will put Brimbank up there on the world map.
“It will also put women’s football on world map.”
Mr Mamo said there were also significant opportunities associated with the Australia’s bid to host the next women’s world cup.
“The FFA [Football Federation Australia] are currently campaigning to host the 2023 world cup.
“Given the close proximity to the airport, there’s plenty of accommodation around, can you imagine the tourist attraction that will become when they’re training?”
The council anticipates a host of job opportunities would also be created during construction, which is estimated to cost $50-$80 million. The facility will also house an estimated 100 Football Victoria positions.
However the close proximity to the airport poses some problems.
The planned third runway places restrictions on the possible uses of much of the land that makes up Sydenham Park with the main consideration surrounding lighting in the vicinity of the flight path or the runway.
Other sites shortlisted are Casey, Darebin, a new sports park planned at La Trobe University’s Bundoora campus and Maroondah.
