Sam Kerr and Matildas to open match-ready State Football Centre

The Tillies will attend a limited free ticket community football festival on 27 October 2023 to mark the $46 million revamp of the Queens Park venue where they are training for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers. 

This will be the Matildas’ first visit to Western Australia since 2018 when they played a friendly against Thailand. The global stars will take part in a celebration of community football at the State Football Centre, meeting young fans who look up to them as role models.  

The event will run from 3pm to 7:30pm featuring family-friendly fun activities, entertainment including live music plus food trucks. About 4000 attendees from the football community, and members of the public who secure free tickets, will be able to attend the event. 

The State Government is committed to growing female participation in football, building on the legacy of the recent Women’s World Cup that saw international teams train and play in WA. Development of the sport involves close work with Football West and clubs across the State. 

The festival at the State Football Centre will showcase a Perth Glory Women’s training session.  

The State Football Centre is co-managed by VenuesWest and Football West and has the capacity to seat 734 in the grandstand, with the ability to accommodate more spectators in temporary grandstands when required.  

The 27 October football festival promises a carnival atmosphere. The appearance is a chance to see the Tillies outside of games at HBF Park and Optus Stadium; part of their campaign to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman announced in Parliament on 17 October 2023 that Aussie alternative rock band Eskimo Joe, who hail from Fremantle, will be the headline live music act for the State Government’s Festival of Football at Queens Park.