The Zambian Copper Queens football team. The team and their support team will live in Hamilton during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 tournament. Photo / Buda Mendes, FIFA via Getty Images
The Zambian Copper Queens football team. The team and their support team will live in Hamilton during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 tournament. Photo / Buda Mendes, FIFA via Getty Images
Hamilton, a host city of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, is set to provide a base camp for Zambia in the biggest female sporting event in the world.
For the first time in FIFA Women’s World Cup history, teams opted for base camps as a home away from home during the competition. The Zambian Copper Queens team and their support team will live in Hamilton Kirikiriroa.
Korikori Park, Rototuna, will be used as their training site. The newly appointed Team Base Camp was recently part of a $1 million grant from Trust Waikato to install LED floodlighting facilities. The new lights will also benefit local communities and many different sporting codes that use the park.
With Zambia being the first African landlocked nation to qualify for a FIFA World Cup for either men’s or women’s football, the chairperson of the Zambians of Aotearoa, Munanga Mwandila, is thrilled with the announcement.
“We are delighted that the Copper Queens will be hosted in Hamilton for this competition. It immediately became clear to us that Hamilton would provide an amazing cultural experience, and a home away from home for the team and for the Zambian fans.”
Munanga believes the tournament will enrich the bond between the African community and Aotearoa and showcase tradition, culture and heritage.
“With a large population of Africans residing in Hamilton and nearby Auckland, we are excited to be providing the Copper Queens with all the support they deserve and to showcase the Zambian and African heritage existing in the region. This is also an incredible opportunity for our community to continue contributing to the cultural enrichment of Hamilton and Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Zambia will be the first team to kick off the tournament at Waikato Stadium against Japan on Saturday, July 22. More than 30 nations will be travelling to Australia and New Zealand for the month-long tournament starting July 20 through to August 20, 2023.
The FMG Stadium in Hamilton will be a host venue for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023. Photo / Supplied
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate hopes Hamiltonians welcome the team with open arms, and back them along with the Football Ferns.
“We are proud and excited to share our home with the Copper Queens and showcase our wonderful city and all that it can offer. I know our city will make you all feel welcome, showing warmth and hospitality (manākitanga),” she said.
“This tournament symbolises many firsts and opportunities not only for Zambia but Hamilton Kirikiriroa and women across the world. With over one billion viewers expected to tune in to this event, it’s a fantastic opportunity to put Hamilton up in lights.”
Host city event organisers will work with FIFA around opportunities for community engagement with the Copper Queens during the tournament.
Hamilton Kirikiriroa will also host the inaugural Play-off Tournament. Taking place from February 17 to 23 at Waikato Stadium. This tournament will see 10 teams from across the world compete for the final three qualifying spots in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The Football Ferns will play three friendlies around the Play-Off Tournament – the first against Portugal, before two fixtures against guest team Argentina.
