Tauranga shortlisted to offer FIFA Women's World Cup athletes 'home away from home'

If Tauranga is selected, Bay Oval will be used as a training site. Photo / NZME

Tauranga has been shortlisted as a team base camp for the FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia next year.

For the first time in World Cup history, team base camps will be offered to participating teams as a 'home away from home' during the competition period.

If Tauranga is selected, Bay Oval will be used as a training site for a team with the athletes and their support team residing in Tauranga in the build-up to and during the group stage of the tournament.

Tauranga City Council Venues and Events Manager, Nelita Byrne, said it was exciting Tauranga had the opportunity to be part of one of the biggest women's sporting events in the world.

"If successful, we would be proud to provide these wāhine a second home here in Tauranga and showcase what our wonderful city can offer to them as athletes and tourists."

To meet team base camp training site standards, the Bay Oval pitch would undergo an extensive renovation following the end of the cricket season if it was confirmed as a team base camp.

The upgrades would be supported by the Government as part of a $19 million investment announced today towards upgrades at sporting facilities across the country earmarked for the FIFA Women's World Cup.

General Manager of Bay Oval, Kelvin Jones said hosting a FIFA Women's World Cup team would enhance the venue's international exposure.

"We've already established ourselves as one of the Bay of Plenty's premier event venues, and this will help us gain recognition further afield.

"Our staff will rub shoulders with some of the best in the industry - it's going to be great for our team as well as the local community," he said.

Tauranga City AFC chairman Brendon McHugh was delighted with the announcement.

"It's exciting to be one step closer to having the FIFA Women's World Cup on our doorstep. Hosting a team would be a fantastic result for Tauranga," he said.

Although the football facilities on Links Ave were considered for the camp, due to the extensive work required, Bay Oval was selected as the preferred option.

"Using a current football facility would've been our preference but creating an opportunity to host a team in Tauranga was more important."

"We can't wait to work with Tauranga City Council and Bay Oval on behalf of the football community in Tauranga Moana, and I'm sure all the local clubs will throw their support behind this campaign," he said.

FIFA team base camps will be confirmed in December.

The FIFA Women's World Cup runs July 20 to August 20, 2023.

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