18 Jul 2023
CommBank Matildas to open with a Peng-WIN: Sydney’s penguins cast their Women’s World Cup predictions
SYDNEY: 18 July 2023: It’s official, the mighty CommBank Matildas are predicted to kick off their Women’s World Cup with a Peng-WIN against the Republic of Ireland at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Thursday 20 July.
From Paul the Octopus to Camilla the Camel, psychic animals have a long-standing tradition of predicting great sporting wins. Now, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s adorable Gentoo Penguins are the latest animal oracles to join the ranks in the harbour city, the nation’s home of football tasked with the all-important job of predicting if the CommBank Matilda’s will prevail in their opening match of the biggest tournament in women’s football.
Inspired by fellow penguin – Tazuni™ – being named the Official Mascot of the Women's World Cup, SEA LIFE’s budding football aficionado penguins have taken to the ice to predict that the mighty CommBank Matildas will come out on top in their opening game against the Republic of Ireland. As their keepers held Australian and Irish flags in outstretched hands, the psychic penguins made their pick with a kick of the Official Women’s World Cup football in the direction of the Aussie flag.
Vanja Jugovic, Penguin Keeper at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, said: “We’re so excited for our Gentoo penguins to play their part in helping Aussies predict whether the CommBank Matildas will prevail on the pitch for the opening match of the World Cup. We’re certain our little helpers put their best webbed foot forward when backing our Matildas to win!”
Australia will have to wait until Thursday 20 July to learn if the penguins’ predicted opening Group Stage game win for the CommBank Matildas will come true. For those wondering ‘waddle’ be the outcome for their next Group Stage match, which will see the CommBank Matildas take on Nigeria – Sydney’s penguins have a few more predictions up their wings as the tournament progresses.
As fans and players alike prepare for kick-off on Thursday 20 July, Sydney will offer a line-up of global events of the Women’s World Cup – hosting 11 matches throughout the 32-nation tournament. Home to the most passionate fans and best football venues, Sydney is the home of football in Australia and for fans and families looking for the ultimate footballing experience, Sydney is hosting the FIFA Fan Festival™ in Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour where attendees can enjoy every match live on the big screens, musical entertainment from some of Australia’s favourite artists, and much more.
For more information about everything taking place at the FIFA Fan Festival in Sydney, visit https://www.sydney.com/events/fifa-womens-world-cup-2023/fifa-fan-festival – or head to fifa.com to learn more about FIFA Fan Festivals™ across Australia and New Zealand.
For images and b-roll of the Gentoo penguins predicting the CommBank Matildas and Republic of Ireland match head HERE.
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About Destination NSW:
Destination NSW is the champion and voice for the visitor economy within the NSW Government. Spearheading a whole-of-government approach to visitor economy growth, Destination NSW is responsible for leading the delivery of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 in partnership with government and industry. Destination NSW influences and shapes the visitor economy through strategic research, policy and thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and consultation, commercial partnerships and investment in visitor experiences, business support, marketing and events. Destination NSW is also the major investor in Business Events Sydney (BESydney) for the purpose of securing more international and domestic conventions, incentive travel reward programs, corporate events and exhibitions.
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