Football West welcomes $35m major investment from WA Government

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Football West have welcomed the West Australian Government’s announcement of a major investment into football.

WA Premier Mark McGowan has revealed that HBF Park – the home of Perth Glory – will receive a $35 million upgrade in preparation for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, following the commencement of works for a $32.5m State Football Centre in Queens Park.

The upgrades at HBF Park will include replacing the halogen lights with a shift to modern LED lighting, upgrading the pitch through removal, levelling and turf replacement, new player bench areas, and upgrades to the existing power supply – including a new switch room.

In addition, the funding will cover temporary infrastructure, such as additional seating and facilities for players, media and supporters to cater for the World Cup.

The range of upgrades will allow the historic Perth venue to meet FIFA requirements to be a host venue in the upcoming World Cup, as well as providing benefits for future events.

The State Government also confirmed that work on the State Football Centre had commenced, with the $32.5m facility jointly funded by Federal and State Governments.

WA’s first ever Home of Football is due for completion before the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The elite facility will be the capable of hosting visiting international teams as a training ground, as well as grassroots football and junior development programs. It will also be the new headquarters for Football West.

McGowan spoke on the potential positive impacts of the planned improvements to HBF Park.

“Securing games in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is a massive win for Western Australia. This investment in HBF Park will provide some much-needed upgrades to our premier soccer and rugby venue, while also enabling further temporary fit-outs for the World Cup games,” he said.

“This will be the biggest football event Perth has ever seen – providing global exposure for Western Australia and giving fans, young and old, lifelong memories of the world’s best in action.”

Football West CEO James Curtis added: “The State Football centre will support all players across Western Australia as they progress on the pathway. Hopefully we can see future players like Sam Kerr come through and train at that facility and make their way to the Matildas.”

“When we look at the investment for HBF Park, we know that when the Women’s World Cup comes here in 2023 the experience for football fans across WA will be something else. What it is all about is seeing some of the world’s best footballers come here to play in Perth, and we are looking forward to hosting them and having the community turn up and really get behind the sport.

“We know on the back of the Olympics, we know how popular women’s football is, and people are very excited for 2023 to happen.”

Artist Sketch
A detailed artist’s impression of the State Football Centre was released along with the announcement.
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Football West hosts Papua Football Academy as Asian ties deepen

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Image Credit: Football West

Football West has hosted members of the Papua Football Academy from Indonesia on an eleven-day exchange visit to Perth, marking a significant step in the governing body’s Asian Engagement Strategy and demonstrating football’s capacity to build meaningful cross-cultural relationships across the region.

Supported by the WA Government, the visit brought 60 players aged 13 to 15 from across Papua province to train alongside Football West Academy players and local clubs, including Perth Azzurri and Perth Glory. The group also attended A-League and New Balance NPL WA matches, toured Optus Stadium, visited the WA Institute of Sport, ECU Joondalup and John Curtin College of Arts, and met with the Indonesian Consulate General in Perth.

“Football West is committed to leading football diplomacy in the region, and this program is a great example of football’s power to connect people, build relationships and create genuine pathways,” said Football West Asian Engagement Advisor Robbie Gaspar. “It’s all about the people-to-people connections”.

 

Leading initiatives

Established in 2022 through a partnership between PT Freeport Indonesia and the Football Association of Indonesia, the Papua Football Academy provides high-performance training, education and welfare support for talented young players from one of Indonesia’s most geographically remote provinces. The program has quickly become one of Indonesia’s leading youth development initiatives, with ambitions to build international connections through training camps, matches and partnerships.

Papua Football Academy Director Wolfgang Pikal said the visit had provided his players and coaches with a standard of facilities and competition exposure unavailable at home. “We have nothing like this in Papua,” he said. “It has allowed the coaches to learn something new and for the kids to measure themselves against young players in Perth.”

Pikal flagged hopes of placing two or three players in Perth competitions in the future as the partnership develops.

Socceroos Make Powerful $15K Play to Back Organ Donation Awareness

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Image Credit: Professional Footballers Australia

The Socceroos have reinforced football’s power beyond the pitch with a $15,000 donation to Transplant Australia Football Club (TAFC). The funding will support its 2026 Transplant World Cup campaign while raising awareness for organ and tissue donation.

The contribution, delivered through Professional Footballers Australia’s (PFA) Community Impact Fund, will assist TAFC’s preparations for the upcoming Transplant Football World Cup in Frankfurt. It is also amplifying the organisation’s broader mission to promote the life-saving impact of organ donation.

Presented during a national team training session, the donation reflects a growing commitment from Australia’s elite players to use their platform for meaningful social impact. Creating a connection between the game and causes that resonate far beyond football.

The initiative builds on an ongoing relationship between the Socceroos and TAFC, following a previous player-led contribution in 2024 that supported the team’s participation in the inaugural tournament in Italy.

More than just financial support, the partnership signals a longer-term collaboration aimed at increasing visibility for organ and tissue donation, leveraging the reach of both the national team and the PFA to drive awareness nationwide.

TAFC provides a unique pathway for transplant recipients, donors, and their families to re-engage with sport—offering not only competitive opportunities but a powerful platform to share stories of resilience, recovery, and second chances.

With the 2026 Transplant Football World Cup on the horizon, the Socceroos’ support will play a crucial role in enabling Australia’s team to compete on the global stage, while championing a message that extends far beyond results: the life-changing impact of donation.

As football continues to grow as both a cultural and social force, initiatives like this highlight the game’s unique ability to unite communities, elevate important causes, and create lasting impact where it matters most.

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