Ambassadors announced for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2023 Football South Australia Legacy Plan and Committee.

Football South Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of Bruce Djite, Isabel Hodgson and Natasha Stott Despoja AO as Ambassadors for the Football South Australia Women’s World Cup 2023™ Legacy Plan and Committee.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, from 20 July to 20 August 2023. Adelaide will host five games, with one in the knock-out stages of the Cup, and there will also be two teams based in Adelaide.


Football SA has developed a Legacy Plan with a specific focus on creating long-lasting participation, facility and leadership opportunities in football for girls and women but with the broader aim of leveraging the Women’s World Cup™ platform to benefit all South Australians.

The appointment of Natasha, Bruce and Isabel is integral in delivering and promoting the initiatives outlined in the Legacy Plan. Their commitment to driving change for girls and women has been at the forefront in accepting the ambassador role.

“It's a great honour to be an ambassador not only because I am passionate about football, but I am also absolutely wedded to the idea of increasing participation for girls and women in sport,”  Natasha Stott Despoja AO said.

Ambassadors
Natasha, Isabel and Bruce (foreground) accompanied by (left to right) Football SA Vice-President Jane Rathjen, Football SA CEO Michael Carter & Football SA President Sam Ciccarello.

Similar sentiments were also shared by the Adelaide United A-League Women’s Captain, Isabel Hodgson. “It's an absolute honour, being a local South Australian football player, I want to see how I can help out. Seeing players on the big stage will inspire young players to get involved or stay involved.”

Bruce Djite knows what it takes to play at the highest level having represented the Socceroos. “Having the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ in Adelaide will enable people to touch it, feel it and see it especially for young boys and girls. It will inspire and transform a generation”.

Jane Rathjen, Football SA Vice-President and Chair of the Football SA FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Legacy Committee said “Football SA is honoured that Bruce, Isabel and Natasha have agreed to be Ambassadors and to lend their name to advocate and represent the Football SA Legacy Plan”.

“The Football SA FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Legacy Plan provides a unique opportunity to inspire long-term positive change for girls and women not only in the sport but more broadly across the community. The Ambassadors will represent, leverage and influence to achieve greater representation for girls and women and initiate positive societal and cultural changes.”

For further information on the Ambassadors and the Football SA Legacy Plan visit www.leavealegacy.com.au or contact Matt Mays, Media & Digital Manager, on 0437 149 777.