The Sydney Opera House provided a stunning backdrop for the launch of the ParaMatildas, Australia’s first international football team for women and girls with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, and symptoms of stroke, on 7 March 2022.
This momentous unveiling introduced to the public the new squad of inspiring young women, with a passion, drive, and opportunity to play football at the highest level. The ParaMatildas squad will hold their first camp in April 2022, as they prepare to compete in the inaugural IFCPF Women’s World Cup 2022 in Spain. These tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia in 2023, are the first steps in realising the ParaMatildas’ footballing dreams on the world stage.
The launch of the ParaMatildas cements Football Australia’s commitment to providing a pathway for both women and men in cerebral palsy football, and acknowledges the passion of these young women, who live with a disability, to don the green and gold. The Ottomin Foundation is a long-term supporter of the Pararoos, the men’s equivalent team, and is looking forward to supporting these teams as they both prepare for their World Cup tournaments in 2022.
We are excited to see them contribute to diversity and inclusion on and off the pitch and, no doubt, they will dominate the international stage while representing the country in May 2022.
