Perth Voice Interactive

WOMEN’S FIFA is about to kick off in Perth, and humble Dorrien Gardens has been transformed into a training venue to host world class players practicing for their matches.

Tucked away in a West Perth pocket, Dorrien Garden soccer grounds got $410,000 in upgrades to bring it up to international training standards.

To roll out a welcome wall, local artists Seantelle Walsh and Sioux Tempestt were commissioned by Tourism WA and Vincent council to paint a mammoth 80-metre long mural along the park’s entry. 

They led more than 70 locals including aspiring female players from Perth Soccer Club to complete the mural at a community painting day.

Their design was based on FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 theme “Beyond Greatness”, and the artists say the mural’s intended to celebrate women in sport, multiculturalism and inclusion.

The matches themselves will be held nearby at HBF Stadium, and are the most prestigious international soccer event held at the venue yet.

For the past year in the leadup to the matches the historic stadium’s been undergoing extensive upgrades, with the state government putting in $35m to bring it up to acceptable international standards to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The stadium (previously known as Perth Oval and rectangularised in 2004) can fit up to 20,500 people. 

It has hosted very few international matches, but came close to capacity in 2015 when 19,495 people nearly filled the stands for a World Cup qualifier match where Australia beat Bangladesh 5-0. 

It was a far better show than a previous international match in 1927, when WA’s state players lost 11-3 to a team from Czechoslovakia called the Bohemians. Following their Australia-wide tour the Bohemians were awarded two kangaroos which they donated to the Perth Zoo. 

The team still exists, and still have a kangaroo on their logo commemorating their time down under. The matches start July 22 when Denmark plays China.

by DAVID BELL