A large and enthusiastic crowd of over a thousand Kiama Matildas supporters, many in Matildas scarves of green and gold, watched on the big screen in Hindmarsh Park a tense but ultimately disappointing match with the Matildas losing the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals 3-1. 

England are now into the finals to face a strong Spanish side. 

The World Cup is not over for Australia as they have a playoff with Sweden for third place.

The home-ground advantage of a roaring crowd lifted the Matildas but it was English striker Ella Toone who scored giving England the half-time break in the lead. 

Waving the flag to support the Matildas on the night are River, McKenzie, and Charlotte who are players in the KJFC U8 Pink Team.

Not long after the break, Sam Kerr scored a powerful goal in the 63rd minute from outside the box, leveling the score and giving Matildas fans hope for a short while that Australia might go all the way to the final against Spain.

However, Lauren Hemp for England scored and then, to close the gate completely for the Matildas, Alessia Russo scored a third, giving England an unassailable lead with 3-1. 

In the second half, Sam Kerr had two near goals, but these missed opportunities failed to finish. 

The Lionesses are jubilant with the win, as it is the first time England have made it to a final in the FIFA Women's World Cup. 

Australia and Sweden will battle it out for the third spot on Saturday 19 August at Suncorp Stadium near Brisbane. The final game between Spain and England will take place at Stadium Australia on Sunday, August 20. 

Independent Member for Kiama Gareth Ward successfully organised an event for the community in Hindmarsh Park in just two days. The event featured a giant screen and six food vans, all conveniently located near the Orry Kelly stage.

Gareth Ward introduced the special guests on the night before the film: Bec, Brooke Perkiss, Tanika Paton, Chloe Young and Hanna Hannson Blackwell, who are members of the The Kiama Quarriers, a local club with two female teams in the grand finals. The First Division Ladies Kiama Quarriers FC earned a spot in the finals after beating Fernhill 5 -0 on the weekend. O30 Ladies Kiama Quarriers FC also beat Albion Park 6-2 and are also off to the grand final in their division.

A short film was played before the match telling the story of Kiama Baptist Pastor Grant Wilson called ‘I’m Not Finished Yet.’ It tells the story of Grant’s recovery from a shocking bike accident in 2021 which caused him a C4 incomplete spinal injury, leaving him a quadriplegic to today where he can stand on his own for short periods. 

The short film is in the Open Entrant-Documentary section of the Focus on Ability Film Festival. The film festival asks for filmmakers to focus on the ability of people with a disability, and last year had 281 finalists from 19 countries.

The Spain versus England final will take place at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Sunday August 20, 2023. The game between Sweden and Australia is on Saturday 19 August at Suncorp Stadium near Brisbane starting at 6 pm.