NEW Zealand and Australia will fight it out for the Centenary Cup when Australian women’s soccer team The Matildas face the New Zealand Ferns on Sunday. 

The game is one of a number of key international events on the Centenary sporting calendar, and will be the first time the two teams have met in Canberra.

“Canberra has the highest participation rate in sport in Australia, so it’s no surprise that in 2013 the sporting calendar is jam-packed with significant local, national and international events happening all year round,” says Executive Director of the Centenary of Canberra Jeremy Lasek.

“It’s a real coup to have the Matildas and Ferns playing in Canberra in 2013, and to mark the occasion they will be fighting it out for the Centenary Cup.”

The Matildas will be conducting a range of school and club activities in the week before the game as part of a grass-roots festival of football, with a special emphasis on girls and women’s participation.

Centenary of Canberra and Capital Football are also offering one soccer fan the chance to be a Matilda for a day on Sunday for the game; with the winner to travel from the AIS with the Matildas, be with the team during the warm-up and coaches instructions, have access to the Matildas change room, receive Matildas merchandise and have two grandstand tickets right behind the home team substitution bench.

The competition is open to girls 16 years and under, and in addition to the main prize, five double-passes to the game will also be award.

Entries are now open, and will be judged on Wednesday 12 June. To enter, visit canberra100.com.au and in 25 words or less write who is your favourite Matildas player of the century, and why.

Tickets for the game are available by calling 6175 7107 or visiting Capital Football – Unit 2/3 Phipps Close Deakin between Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Tickets – General Admission $15 for adults and $10 for concession. $20 for Grandstand.

For more information visit http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/node/367