Inside the Matildas’ hotel: Xbox, arts and crafts and a personal barista

Everyone needs a good WhatsApp group, including the Matildas’ family members. It recently came in handy for secretly sending photos of their loved ones to Football Australia staff, who made and framed collages for each World Cup squad member.

When the players arrived at their Brisbane hotel rooms last weekend, fresh from last week’s 1-0 friendly win over France, they were greeted with the surprise welcome.

Staff also fixed name plates to each door and individualised doormats and pillows sporting their surnames, along with do-not-disturb signs which read ‘tired Tilly’. Katrina Gorry’s mother sent flowers to all the rooms.

They were some of many personalised touches at the team’s home base designed to create a home away from home and give them the best chance of making a deep run at the tournament.

“Walking into the hotel for us was so special – we were blown away,” says defender Alanna Kennedy. “So many people have put so much work into making the space feel like home for us. It was truly such a special moment. They were tiny details, but they just mean so much.”

The expanded 32-team 2023 World Cup is the first time FIFA has introduced base camps for a women’s finals, meaning federations can deck out their accommodation as they see fit.

Most of Australia’s digs have been overhauled, with the hallways lined in green and gold and giant murals of all 23 players in the lunchroom.

In the common room there are beanbags and cushions, a craft table which includes beading, colouring in and lego (this also caters for the children of Gorry and Tameka Yallop), along with Uno.

The real hit, though, is the table tennis table. “I just found out Mary Fowler is very, very good,” says Aivi Luik. “She’s got a wicked forehand. Alex Chidiac is also very good and Wheels [Clare Wheeler] too.”

Ellie Carpenter presented every player with an Xbox Series S through a sponsorship arrangement with Microsoft.

“As soon as I got mine I set it up,” says defender Clare Hunt. “I’ve got FIFA and Call of Duty set up, so doing that in my spare time. It’s very good that Ellie has her connection with Xbox and sorted it all out.”

And, just like the Socceroos at last year’s men’s World Cup, the Matildas have drafted in their own personal barista to serve up good-quality coffee day and night. Players need only walk in the direction of a neon-lit Matildas sign and stand upon a big mat reading “Caffeine & Chill” to place their order to Alexia Ralevski, the same barista flown to Qatar last year, who received rave reviews.

The squad and staff were thrilled by the set-up, posting many of videos and photos to Instagram. Even retired Matildas couldn’t believe what they were seeing. “Oh my goshhhhh,” commented Laura Alleway. “I leave for 2 years and THIS is the treatment they now get? I sure missed out!”

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