Matildas to play four matches in WA, including landmark game in BunburyBy Blake Kagi and Pip WallerABC South West WATopic:Matildas43m ago43 minutes agoMon 12 May 2025 at 1:37amThe Matildas will play four fixtures in WA, including a landmark game in Bunbury on July 5. (Getty Images: Matt King)In short:The Matildas have been locked in for four games in Western Australia, including their first in Bunbury.The side will face Slovenia in Perth in late June, before playing Panama at Bunbury's Hands Oval and then in Perth.It is the latest major event announced for Hands Oval, which has undergone a multi-million-dollar redevelopment.abc.net.au/news/matildas-four-matches-perth-bunbury/105281328Link copiedShareShare articleThe Matildas will play four international matches in Western Australia in June and July, with three in Perth and one in the state's South West.Football Australia has announced the women's national team will face Slovenia twice at Perth Rectangular Stadium on June 26 and 29, before hosting Panama at Hands Oval in Bunbury on July 5, and again at Perth Rectangular Stadium on July 8.It is one of a number of historic events taking place at Hands Oval, which will host its first AFL home and away season match on June 8 between West Coast and North Melbourne, as part of a three-year deal for the Kangaroos to host matches at the Bunbury venue.The ground also held an AFL pre-season clash between the Eagles and North Melbourne earlier this year in front of a sold out crowd of 7,000 people.The announcement comes off the back of the Matildas riding a wave of popularity after their run to the semifinals of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.They have captured the attention of the nation, regularly selling out matches, and smashing TV viewer records during their World Cup campaign.The team will play at Hands Oval in Bunbury, normally home to Australian Rules Football in WA's South West. (ABC South West WA: Sam Tomlin)Women's game boomingDunsborough Town Football Club president Tash Blefari is an advocate for women's and girls' soccer in the South West.The club launched a girls-only junior competition early last year in response to a huge increase in interest.Since 2023, the club has seen a 330 per cent increase in female participation in soccer.Ms Blefari said the Matildas coming to Bunbury was an incredible opportunity."It's a real celebration of the dedication we've seen in female football across the South West," she said."This isn't just about hosting a match. It's really great for recognising the countless volunteers, the coaches, all those young girls who have poured their hearts into the game."To see the Matildas play right here in Bunbury, it shows them what's possible and certainly will inspire that next generation to dream big."Sport Minister Rita Saffioti said confirmation of four Matildas matches in WA was exciting for soccer enthusiasts in the state."We know the game is growing exponentially across the nation and we're seeing in particular more and more girls and women participate in the sport," she said."That's why we're so passionate about having more Matildas content inspiring the next generation."Posted 43m ago43 minutes agoMon 12 May 2025 at 1:37am, updated 29m ago29 minutes agoMon 12 May 2025 at 1:50amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)SportMajor Irish final postponed because camogie stars refuse to wear skortsTopic:Gaelic SportsPhoto shows A player wearing a red camogie kit clenches her fist while running during a game.Goat almost takes out NZ rider as animals interrupt third stage of GiroTopic:Cycle SportPhoto shows A goat jumps at cyclist Dion Smith during stage three of the Giro d'Italia.This Bomber has finally arrived and can supercharge club's stuttering buildCAnalysis by Chris De SilvaPhoto shows Zach Reid greets fans with outstretched handsThese cricketers turn up in their gear 'or get dressed in the car'Topic:CricketPhoto shows Women playing cricket21yo man's dying wish for his father fulfilled by English football playerTopic:Brain TumorPhoto shows Head and shoulder image of a young man smiling.Top StoriesVideo captures childcare worker hitting baby and laughing about itTopic:Child CarePhoto shows A still from a Snapchat video shows a baby on a bouncer crying.The 9,000-product catch behind Bunnings's biggest price guaranteeTopic:Retail IndustryPhoto shows A person in a Bunnings apron stands in a Bunnings aisle.Monique Ryan wins Kooyong as Greens, Labor and Liberals each nab seatsLIVEPhoto shows Kooyong MP Monique Ryan in Kooyong, inner MelbourneIs Chalmers prepared to follow Keating into the 'slaying' business?AAnalysis by Alan KohlerPhoto shows Jim Chalmers walks into QT smiling.Zelenskyy agrees to meet Putin face-to-face for Ukraine war talksTopic:Unrest, Conflict and WarPhoto shows Volodymyr Zelensky, Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron stand at Memorial Wall of Fallen Defenders of UkraineRelated storiesSam Kerr announces birth of son with partner Kristie MewisTopic:SoccerPhoto shows Two women smile as one holds an infant to her chestNorth Melbourne, AFL, WA government set to bring games to Bunbury's Hands OvalTopic:AFLPhoto shows Play underway and spectators watching on at Hands Oval in Bunbury. 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