The Andrews Labor Government is standing with Port Melbourne Soccer Club after City of Port reneged on a decision to upgrade facilities at JL Murphy Reserve, which was set to be an official training venue for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Member for Southern Metropolitan Nina Taylor MP today called on the Council to deliver on its plan for the site for the Port Melbourne community and the aspiring future Matilda’s of Port Melbourne Soccer Club. “This is a massive blow to the local community and the future of women’s sport,” said Ms Taylor.

Council has an agreement in place with the Local Organising Committee to deliver the required upgrades and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is less than 12 months away. “Hosting as a training ground for the Women’s World Cup is a coup and it’s imperative Council decisions about JL Murphy Reserve are genuinely informed by the Port Melbourne community,” said Ms Taylor.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is one of the largest women’s sporting events and will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand between 19 July and 20 August 2023. The tournament will bring together 32 nations before a global audience of more than 1 billion people. In February this year it was announced JL Murphy Reserve would be one of the venues across Australia, selected by the world body for football, to host as a training site.