Tilligerry Football Club will launch its inaugural world cup in March thanks to funding from the NSW Football Legacy Fund.
The new six-a-side tournament, to be held at Mallabula Sports Complex, will celebrate Port Stephen’s cultural heritage and capitalise on the hype for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Tilligerry FC president Katerina Vuletić is excited by the opportunity to host a new community event.
“Receiving this grant is amazing news for the club. It allows us to launch the Tilligerry World Cup and put the spotlight on football in our community,” Vuletić said.
“We hope our world cup will attract teams from across the region and I encourage clubs from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Hunter Valley and the Mid North Coast to get involved.”
Free childcare to boost female participation
Making the tournament accessible to women is an important part of the plan.
“Funding from the grant allows us to provide free childcare to parents to make it easier to participate. We hope this will reduce barriers for mums who want to get involved,” Vuletić said.
“The more women playing football, even if just for one weekend, is great for our club and community. This might rekindle a love for football and bring more mums back to playing regularly.”
The power of volunteers
The driving force behind the Tilligerry FC’s World Cup is Female Participation Officer Eustacia Moores.
"We are so grateful for the time and effort Eustacia put in to secure this grant,” Vuletić said.
“Her dedication to our club has made a significant impact and we can’t wait to see Eustacia’s work implementing her plan. Thank you to Eustacia for being an invaluable part of our team.”
About the Tilligerry World Cup
- 17 to 18 March 2023
- Mallabula Sports Complex
- Six players per team (plus reserves)
- Categories from MiniRoos to seniors
- Open to all clubs
- Represent a country of your choice
About the Legacy Fund Participation and Infrastructure Grants
The NSW government recently announced a $3.1 million investment into more than 100 grassroots football projects across the state to help improve facilities and run programs to boost player participation as part of the NSW Football Legacy Fund.
The investment is intended to broaden female player options and increase participation opportunities, while enhancing football facilities and supporting infrastructure. This fund also aims to assist clubs in developing football programs at all levels through the construction or upgrading of community facilities, leadership and development initiatives.
As Australia prepares to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, strengthening the football community in NSW is key to matching the unprecedented level of interest in female football. The NSW Football Legacy Fund seeks to ensure it has the facilities and programming to match the buzz that the FIFA World Cup is generating for Australia’s next generation of future Matildas.
More information about the NSW Football Legacy Fund is available here.
Register your club's interest in round two of the NSW Football Legacy Fund here.
