The home WC was a success for Australia, despite missing out on a place in the final – the Matildas are playing for a WC medal for the first time when they settle for the bronze with Sweden on Saturday. Now Albanese promises a contribution of 200 million Australian dollars (equivalent to almost SEK 1.4 billion) to improve the conditions for women and girls to play sports.
— The Matildas have inspired the nation, says Albanese according to ABC News.
— It’s about seizing the opportunities for the next generation, investing in sports facilities for women and girls around Australia.
Sports Minister Anika Wells says the $200 million will ensure women’s athletes have their own facilities and equipment, rather than having to borrow from men’s teams.
“Too often, women and girls have to change in the men’s locker room, use inherited men’s match kits, play in men’s equipment on bad pitches that boys’ teams wouldn’t practice on,” she says.
The money will go to all sports, but the government believes that football, as the biggest sport, will get a large part of it.