Women in football honoured through inspiring mural
Posted 7 March 2025
Inspiring Greatness is the theme of a new giant wall mural unveiled at Coopers Stadium today, ahead of International Women’s Day (8 March).
The creative work of South Australian artist Tayla Carlaw, the mural was commissioned by the Office of Recreation, Sport & Racing and Adelaide Venue Management (AVM), proud operators of Coopers Stadium, in celebration of women’s football and to honour the legacy of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Overlooking the Stadium’s main entrance (Gate 10, Manton Street), the mural measures 9 metres high by 5 metres wide and took over 30 hours to complete.
Martin Radcliffe, CEO Adelaide Venue Management, comments, “As passionate supporters of women’s football, it’s been a real thrill to work with Tayla Carlaw, a local South Australian artist, to create this spectacular artwork. Not only does it stand as a legacy piece for the five FIFA Women’s World Cup matches we hosted in 2023, but serves as a lasting reminder of our ongoing commitment to supporting and celebrating women in football.
“The Women’s World Cup kicked off an exciting new era for women’s football with increased interest and support, which is something we continue to bear witness to each time Adelaide United’s Women’s team plays here at the Stadium.”
Tayla Carlaw, artist, says “I’m extremely proud to have been involved in this project. The brief was to create a vibrant, powerful artwork that celebrates the legacy and future of women in football, while also paying tribute to the FIFA Women’s World Cup matches.
“At its heart, the mural features an adult female player ‘inspiring greatness’ in a young athlete, set against an abstract background, Their connection speaks to mentorship, perseverance and the continuing growth of women’s sport. The ball uniquely blends the classic football pattern with a world map to symbolise the global sporting community, honouring the world-class teams that have played at the Stadium.”
During the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Coopers Stadium played host to five sold-out matches, including one Round of 16, welcoming 65,757 football fans.
Since that time, the Stadium has continued to provide a platform to celebrate women’s football, including playing host to an increased number of A-League Women’s games. This weekend (8 March), the Stadium will welcome the blockbuster Adelaide United International Women’s Day double header, where the women’s match will serve as the headline event for the night. As a further celebration of women in sport, Coopers Stadium will host a standalone A-League Women’s match on 23 March as Adelaide United takes on Brisbane Roar.
Radcliffe adds, “We’re really pleased to sponsor the upcoming standalone game on 23 March and encourage as many fans as possible to come out, bring their energy and cheer on our Adelaide United Women’s team as they continue their push towards finals.”
Nathan Kosmina, CEO Adelaide United, comments, “The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 being played at Coopers Stadium was a landmark event for our sport, and with AVM and the State Government’s continued support, we want to ensure the momentum of the event continues to carry forward. The ‘Inspiring Greatness’ mural will be a reminder of the World Cup’s legacy in South Australia both today, and for future generations and is a fitting tribute to the growth of women’s football.
“I want to thank AVM and the Office for Recreation Sport and Racing and congratulate Tayla Carlaw on a fantastic piece of art. We hope to compliment its unveiling with a good result tomorrow night, and I hope the broader football community will come out and show their support on 23 March.”