Leading advocates for women’s football in Australia "have launched a determined campaign" calling on Football Federation Australia to bid for the 2019 World Cup finals, according to Ray Gatt of THE AUSTRALIAN. While "admitting concern" that it comes a little over three years after Australia's controversial and failed A$45M ($42M) bid to host the 2022 men’s World Cup, the people behind the women’s sport, led by thewomensgame.com website, "are adamant this is an opportunity too good to miss." However, with the declaration-of-interest form to be submitted to FIFA by April 15, there "are genuine fears time has all but run out for Australia." South Africa "is the only country officially to announce it is bidding." The people behind the women’s 2019 Cup bid said that they "were yet to hear from FFA" despite recently writing an open letter to CEO David Gallop. The letter said, “Here is a big chance David. A big chance for the women’s game, for football. The game is ready. The fans are ready. We are football, too!” (THE AUSTRALIAN, 4/2).
