Cortnee Vine and the Matildas are set to be immortalised in bronze at Suncorp Stadium with plans to proceed to erect a massive statue at the venue to honour their FIFA Women’s World Cup achievements.
Vine made history for the Matildas in their quarter final showdown against France in Brisbane, slotting home the winning penalty that propelled Australia into the semifinals for the first time ever.
While the Matildas would ultimately lose that semifinal to England, history had already been made and then-Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk pledged to build them a statue in August 2023.
He called it a snapshot of ‘that moment will now live forever and inspire future generations of young footballers to take on the world’.
Matildas star Cortnee Vine made history when she slotted home her penalty stroke against France in the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinals
The moment the Matildas celebrated as Vine scored the winning penalty goal will be immortalised in bronze
A massive statue featuring the entire team will be a permanent fixture at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the venue of their quarterfinal win over France
‘It is fitting the Matildas are celebrated with a permanent tribute, and it’s also fitting that it’s located at Suncorp Stadium,’ Healy said.
‘Queenslanders rode the unbelievable high of the quarter-final penalty shootout win over France, lifting the roof off the best football stadium in the country.
‘Around Australia, we were united behind this fantastic team. They made us all incredibly proud.’
Brisbane-based Urban Art Projects (UAP) has been commissioned by the state government to deliver the tribute using a large-scale, cast-bronzing technique.
‘UAP acknowledges the significant global recognition Brisbane and Queensland received during the Women’s World Cup,’ UAP associate Paul Gurney said.
‘As a successful global company, established in Brisbane, UAP shares this passion to celebrate our city and state with the rest of the world.
The World Cup was a watershed moment for the Matildas and women’s football in Australia, with huge crowds attending all their matches and TV ratings going through the roof
The statue is aimed at paying tribute to the long-lasting impact the Matildas had on women’s football in Australia (pictured, Mary Fowler playing in last year’s World Cup)
‘The team at UAP will draw on more than 30 years’ experience to create a high quality, large scale, Cast Bronze Bas Relief capturing an iconic moment of celebration from the tournament.
‘The bronze casting will be produced entirely at our Brisbane workshop and draw on the diverse expertise of our artisan handcrafted project management, digital design, pattern-making, advanced robotics, foundry and finishing.’
Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said the Matildas had inspired more women and girls to get active and involved in sport.
‘It is fantastic that their efforts will be recognised with a permanent tribute,’ she said.
‘I can’t wait to see it in place later this year.
‘The Matildas brought the country together through their performances and had a profound impact on our sporting landscape.
‘In a nation that loves its sport, the Matildas were not only the most watched team on Australian television in 2023, their semi-final against England was the most watched event in Australian television history.’
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