https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/a-historic-football-bid-from-australia-and-new-zealand-gives-taylor-ray-light-ahead-of-2023/news-story/e9e2ad134c11a788e48b4e24d218010d A HISTORIC bid has Townsville’s W-League star even more determined to make her mark on Australian football. Sydney F.C. defender Taylor Ray has done North Queensland proud in recent years, overcoming back-to-back ACL tears to feature in the Sky Blues 2019/20 grand final campaign. Australia has launched an audacious bid with New Zealand to co-host the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup. While Townsville did not feature in the original push from the FFA, Ray was eager to ensure the region did not miss out on the benefits the showcase’s presence would bring to the game. A drive to feature for the Matildas has always been there, however the chance to represent her hometown will serve as additional motivation should the hosting bid be successful. “I think it helps motivate a lot of people showing it doesn’t matter where you come from, and even if football isn’t as big in that area, you can be successful if you have a passion for something,” Ray said.
“The women’s game already is getting so much bigger in Australia, and to promote this would just help encourage a lot of younger girls wanting to get more active and create a better football community all around.” Australia has already highlighted its ability to put on a phenomenal show, as evidenced by the recent ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. When the Southern Stars took on India in the final, 86,174 spectators flooded through the gates of the MCG — becoming the second-highest crowd figure for a women’s sporting fixture. A successful bid would mark a tournament of firsts in many regards — the first ever co-Confederation hosted FIFA World Cup, the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in the Asia-Pacific region, and the first ever to be held in the southern hemisphere. By the time the spectacle comes around, Ray will be 22 and likely ticking off many milestones. She has already featured for the Young Matildas and noticed significant improvements in her game. Now she is hopeful of continuing her football education overseas at some point, to ensure she is one of the first names picked alongside the likes of international superstar Sam Kerr. “I think the biggest thing is you’re constantly versing teams with different technical abilities,” Ray said. “Everyone grew up differently and trains differently so being in that environment really helps you develop, not only physically, but mentally as player. “For me I haven’t really played in front of too big a crowd, but to have Australian supporters would be such a big adrenaline rush for us girls. “I can’t even put that into words, it would be an incredible achievement for Australia to have something so big in our home town.” The FIFA council will vote on the 2023 host nation later this year.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI covered a vast range of sports and issues in my time with the Bulletin. Archives
June 2020
Categories |