Westfield Matildas return to Penrith headlining a week of sporting action

Sunday, 2 September 2018

Penrith Council has again partnered with Football Federation Australia to bring the Westfield Matildas to Penrith for a clash of international proportions.

Penrith Council has again partnered with Football Federation Australia to bring the Westfield Matildas to Penrith for a clash of international proportions.

The Westfield Matildas, who defeated arch rivals Brazil in a nail-biting victory in last year's match at Penrith Stadium, will take on 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers Chile on Saturday 10 November.

Penrith Mayor, Cr John Thain, said the announcement is a major coup for the city and has again proven Penrith is the home of world class events in Western Sydney.

"By securing the Westfield Matildas vs Chile match, Council has delivered on its commitment to providing headline events for locals to enjoy in their own backyard and cemented Penrith's reputation as the home of major events and sporting action in Western Sydney."

The Westfield Matildas' vs Chile match, will headline a massive week of sporting action in Penrith including the NSW Golf Open Championship 5-11 November and Veterans Cricket Australian National Championship 10-15 November.

This impressive sporting line-up is expected to attract thousands of visitors to Penrith, providing a substantial economic boost to local businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

"The exceptional quality of Penrith's accommodation, dining, outdoor, adventure and cultural experiences, will ensure visitors want to stay after the sporting action is over, injecting valuable tourism dollars into the local visitor economy," Cr Thain said.

"With its reputation for hosting internationally renowned events and with so much for visitors to see and do in Penrith, it's easy to see why Penrith was a natural choice to host this thrilling clash between two proud sporting nations."

Westfield Matildas Head Coach Alen Stajcic will be using these two matches as part of his team's preparation for the FIFA Women's World Cup which will be held in June next year in France. 

"Chile are an emerging nation in international women's football and have qualified for next year's FIFA Women's World cup for the first time in their history," said Stajcic. 

"They (Chile) had a fantastic Copa America this year and have showed a great level of technical proficiency, as we would expect from a proud South American footballing nation.

"For us to prepare for the FIFA Women's World Cup we need to play against a diverse range of opposition and Chile will be great challenge for us.

"The atmosphere at our matches in Penrith and Newcastle last year was amazing and I know that the players are looking forward to running out in front of large, vocal home crowds," concluded Stajcic.

Tickets for the Westfield Matildas vs Chile are now available at matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/tickets

Once you've got your tickets head to www.visitpenrith.com.au to plan your big week of sporting action in Penrith.

Photo caption: 1 - (L to R) Westfield Matildas Head Coach Alen Stajcic, FFA CEO David Gallop, Westfield Matilda Chloe Logarzo, Seven Consulting Declan Boylan, NSW Sports Minister The Hon Stuart Ayers MP, Penrith City Council Deputy Mayor Tricia Hitchen and Penrith City Council Mayor John Thain  launch the Westfield Matildas 2018 Seven Consulting International Series at Penrith today.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Sunday, 2 September 2018.