- Shamser Khalid
FIFA Unity Pitch Will Come to Hamilton Kirikiriroa
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will begin in July, but there is plenty of excitement and preparations going on already. Among the different preparations for the upcoming tournament is an event hosted by FIFA that features a project called The Unity Pitch. From February 17 to 20, the Unity Pitch will be at Hamilton Kirikiriroa.
What is The Unity Pitch?
The Unity Pitch is part of a project managed by FIFA. In July 2022, to mark the ‘One year to go’ moment, FIFA unveiled its modern representation of the game. The representation was a vibrant and unique multi-colored football pitch inspired by their brand livery and all the nations it represents. It also aims to engage local communities around Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand.
For the 2023 edition of the Women’s World Cup, the pitch is a patchwork of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 brand colours and design system, reflecting the local cultures and the coming together of 32 participating nations. Currently, the Unity Pitch is going around different Host Cities. Starting on February 17, the pitch will be at Hamilton Lake Domain.
What to Expect at the Event
In addition to making the Unity Pitch available for local communities and clubs in Host Cities, there will be plenty of fun activities, giveaways, and displays from various local entertainers. Anyone can check out the pitch and events inside for free.
Some activities will include ‘give it a go’ sessions, including football drills & skills, free ‘kick around’ time, and badminton. As for displays, the pitch will have shows, including a friendly game between the local fire and police departments and Hamilton Chinese Ethnic Song and Dance Group.
Not only that, but football fans can also watch New Zealand’s Football Ferns participate in a powerchair football match against the Parafed Waikato’s Wandering Wasps.
Another thing that visitors can look out for is the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 mascot Tazuni. Tazuni is a fun, football-loving penguin that was unveiled in October 2022 as the official Mascot of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.
What Else to Know
Other than the Unity Pitch, Hamilton Kirikiriroa will have the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Play-Off Tournament at Waikato Stadium between 17-23 February. The tournament will determine the final three qualifying spots for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Ten teams are competing in the Play-Off Tournament. These teams are Cameroon, Chile, Chinese Taipei, Haiti, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Portugal, Senegal, and Thailand. New Zealand’s Football Ferns will play three friendlies around the Play-Off Tournament.
When asked about the coinciding events, Karyn Walters, Chief Executive of WaiBOP Football Federation said, “Having the Unity Pitch in Hamilton is an important, tangible sign that the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ is only just around the corner.”
“We’re in for an exciting time with both the Play-Off Tournament and Unity Pitch happening in our city at the same time. The Unity Pitch provides a fun focal point for our community to come together in a great setting.”
