- The FIFA Women’s World Cup took place in Australia
- Matildas made history by reaching the semi-finals
- The team will be immortalized at Suncorp in Brisbane
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Cortnee Vine and the Matildas are set to be immortalized in bronze at Suncorp Stadium and they plan to erect a huge statue at the venue to honor their FIFA Women’s World Cup achievements.
Vine made history for the Matildas in their quarter-final against France in Brisbane, scoring the winning penalty that sent Australia into the semi-finals for the first time ever.
While the Matildas would ultimately lose that semi-final to England, history had already been made and then-Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk pledged to build a statue to them in August 2023.
Palaszczuk resigned as premier in December, but Queensland Sport Minister Michael Healy confirmed the six-metre-wide, 2.5-metre-high statue would be made.
He called it a snapshot of “that moment that will now live forever and inspire future generations of young footballers to take on the world.”
Matildas star Cortnee Vine made history by scoring her penalty against France in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The moment the Matildas celebrated Vine’s penalty goal will be immortalized in bronze.
A huge statue representing the entire team will be permanently installed at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the site of their quarter-final victory against France.
“It is fitting that the Matildas are celebrated with a permanent tribute, and it is also appropriate that it is located at Suncorp Stadium,” Healy said.
“Queenslanders reached an incredible high in the quarter-final penalty shootout victory over France, raising the roof on the country’s best football stadium.
“Around Australia we were united behind this fantastic team. They made us all incredibly proud.
Brisbane-based Urban Art Projects (UAP) was commissioned by the State Government to deliver this tribute using a large-scale bronzing technique.
“The UAP recognizes the significant global recognition that Brisbane and Queensland received during the Women’s World Cup,” said UAP Associate Paul Gurney.
“As a successful global company, based in Brisbane, UAP shares this passion for celebrating our city and state with the rest of the world.
The World Cup was a watershed moment for the Matildas and women’s football in Australia, with huge crowds attending all of their matches and television audiences exploding.
The statue aims to pay tribute to the Matildas’ lasting impact on women’s football in Australia (pictured is Mary Fowler playing in last year’s World Cup)
“The UAP team will draw on more than 30 years of experience to create a high-quality, large-scale cast bronze bas-relief capturing an iconic moment of tournament celebration.
“The bronze casting will be produced entirely in our Brisbane workshop and will draw on our artisans’ diverse expertise in craft project management, digital design, model making, advanced robotics, foundry and finishing.”
Women’s Minister Shannon Fentiman said the Matildas had inspired more women and girls to get active and get involved in sport.
“It’s fantastic that their efforts are being recognized with a permanent tribute,” she said.
“I look forward to seeing it in place later this year.
“The Matildas have brought the country together through their performances and have had a profound impact on our sporting landscape.
“In a nation that loves its sport, the Matildas were not only the most watched team on Australian television in 2023, their semi-final against England was the most watched event in the history of the Australian television.”