A new mural celebrating the Matildas’ history-making campaign at the 2023 Women’s World Cup will be projected onto Sydney Olympic Park’s Accor Stadium.
The NSW Government recently unveiled the artwork that will be transformed into a 57-metre-long immersive mural, extending across the Cathy Freeman Stand.
It will be the first mural in a new series designed to commemorate the greatest moments in sport and entertainment at Australia’s home of major events – Accor Stadium.
“It’s long overdue that our nation’s inspirational female athletes are provided with recognition of some of the greatest sporting achievements in our nation’s history,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
“The Matildas captivated the nation like never before smashing all kinds of records and inspiring a new generation of sports stars, participants and fans.
“Their game-changing tournament will be perfectly honoured with this mural which will be fittingly projected onto the exterior of the Cathy Freeman Stand – the first grandstand in a major Australian stadium to be named after a female athlete.”
The team’s first World Cup on home soil saw ‘Matilda Mania’ take over the whole country, smashing all records in the process across crowds and TV viewership.
Painted by artist Kirthana Selvaraj, the artwork captures the key Matildas players who inspired a nation.
It depicts the moment captain Sam Kerr scored against the Lionesses in the semi-final and Courtney Vine right before she kicked the winning penalty goal against France in the quarter-final, as well as other memorable moments.
Selvaraj said it was an honour to create the painting commemorating the Matildas.
“Women in sport have always been a vital part of the game’s history, and this work is a celebration of their enduring legacy,” she said.
“Through this piece, I hoped to capture not only the strength and grace of the Matildas but also the unyielding spirit and unity they inspire in all of us.
“I hope this artwork stands as a permanent reminder of the impact women have made – and continue to make – not just on the field but in shaping the broader public’s connection to sport. It’s a tribute to the trailblazers who came before, the athletes who shine today, and the young people who will carry their legacy forward.”
The public will have an opportunity to view the mural for the first time in April to celebrate the team’s two upcoming Sydney and Newcastle games which have been announced for April 4 and April 7.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.