Perth’s newly constructed State Football Centre in Queens Park will now be officially known as the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
Born and raised in Western Australia, Sam Kerr’s phenomenal football journey has become part of the State’s international identity.
As captain of the CommBank Matildas, she has represented Western Australia on the world stage in high esteem, with all Western Australians proud of her connection to our State.
Premier Roger Cook, Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman and Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti have announced that the world-class centre would be named in Sam Kerr’s honour, in recognition of her successful career to date, her contribution to professional and grassroots football, and the legacy she continues to leave in inspiring the next generation of footballers.
“Sam Kerr is a global football superstar and truly a sporting icon – she’s an incredible role model for Western Australians and I can’t think of a better name for our new home of grassroots football and high performance,” said Premier Cook.
“We want the next generation of football stars to play and train at this centre and think about their own sporting dreams.
“In naming our new world-class facility after Sam, my Government hopes that her contribution to football and impressive legacy will continue to inspire our future Matildas and Socceroos and help grow the game locally.”
The $50.8 million facility, which was joint funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments and is owned by the State Government, includes a two-storey grandstand, two competition and training pitches and three five-a-side playing pitches. It was used as a training base by five international teams during the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Australia and New Zealand and will be home to the next generation of WA football players, supporting the development of the sport from grassroots to high-performance teams.
The new name was revealed at a community football festival attended by Sam Kerr and some of her CommBank Matildas teammates to celebrate the centre’s official opening and WA’s growing football community and its achievements.
“As a proud West Australian, I am incredibly privileged to have this amazing State Football Centre named after me,” said Sam Kerr.
“It fills me with pride to think that football in WA is growing so rapidly in popularity and that children, at a grassroots level, as well as world-class sporting teams will be able to access these impressive facilities.
“Football centres, such as this, create opportunities for kids that enable them to reach their full potential, and that is the ultimate goal.”
The CommBank Matildas are in Perth for their three exclusive matches at HBF Park and Optus Stadium as part of the Paris 2024 Olympic Asian Qualifiers.
The Government also announced a new $9.3 million investment in grassroots football clubs and local facilities and infrastructure, to ensure WA’s successful hosting of this year’s Women’s World Cup delivers a lasting legacy for the world game in the state.
