Sydney's Leichhardt Oval proposed as women's sports hub

Sydney's Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne considers this to be the right time to build on the incredible momentum the Matildas created with their remarkable run at the World Cup and is proposing Leichhardt Oval as a permanent hub for women's sport, and to help nurture the next generation of Matildas.

Steeped in rugby league history, Leichhardt Oval has proven itself to be a world class football venue over the past three weeks, hosting eight countries for their final training sessions a day out from games.

Spain had their final training hit-outs at the inner west oval before going on to claim football's biggest prize with Mayor Byrne noting "the eighth wonder of the world hosted training sessions for the likes of Ireland, Columbia and Spain during the World Cup and the feedback has been amazing about the quality of the ground and the location.”

Council has released the new Leichhardt Oval masterplan which would see the ground used by a variety of amateur, professional and international women's sporting teams for decades to come.

Council has developed the draft master plan to upgrade and renovate facilities at Leichhardt Oval and is asking state and federal governments to consider tiered funding scenarios for the oval.

The plan seeks to preserve and protect the heritage of the ground, while providing the modern seating and facilities the ground desperately needs.

The installation of modern female-friendly change rooms is the highest priority in the master plan.

The spiritual home of the Balmain Tigers, Leichhardt Oval sits nestled in quiet suburban streets and within metres of the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, which is set to undergo a multi-million dollar renovation, providing state-of-the-art recovery and training facilities for squads training at the oval.

Football Australia is looking to build on the momentum and wants to host the 2026 women's Asian Cup, the 2029 Men's Club World Cup and the 2034 men's FIFA World Cup.

In the lead-up to the World Cup, the oval hosted a celebration of women's soccer with hundreds of local junior teams playing a regular round of competition at the iconic ground.

Mayor Byrne continued "Australia is poised to create a stunning legacy from the World Cup and build the framework and pathways for young girls to achieve their dreams and play for the Matildas.

"I think Leichhardt Oval can be an important piece of the puzzle and provide a world class training and playing venue.”

While the World Cup has left Australia's shores, football and other sports will roll on at the inner west oval in the coming weeks.

This Saturday, the oval will host rugby union's Shute Shield final, while the Balmain junior league grand final will be on Sunday.

Australian football club, APIA Leichhardt, will be at the oval next week for the Australia Cup when they host Sydney FC under lights in a round of 16 clash.

The following weekend will see the NSWRL finals and Football NSW women's Waratah Sapphire Cup.

Leichhardt Oval hosts hundreds of sports events each year, including men's and women's football, rugby league and rugby union.

In addition to hosting international teams, Sydney FC, NRLW Roosters and NSW Waratah women's teams have trained and played regularly at the ground.

The draft Master Plan for Leichhardt Oval is now open for public review with Inner West Council inviting community feedback.