Successful FIFA Women's World Cup viewing party co-hosted by New Zealand and Philippines

New Zealand Ambassador Peter Kell with Australian Acting Counsellor/Chief Migration Officer Jennifer Bryant

July 25 will prove to be a historic day for Philippine sports, as its Senior Women's National Football Team secured its first-ever World Cup victory, defeating New Zealand, 1-0, behind a 24th minute goal from Sarina Bolden, and a clean sheet from the player of the match Olivia McDaniel.

To help highlight the importance of the event, the Philippine Football Federation and the New Zealand Embassy hosted an official FIFA Women's World Cup viewing party for the match. Over five hundred individuals packed the UP Town Center in Quezon City, which included members of the diplomatic corps, a bunch of student-athletes, and enthusiastic spectators.

Notable attendees include EU Ambassador Luc Veron, as well as Australia's Acting Counsellor/Chief Migration Officer Jennifer Bryant, highlighting the potential of sport's ability to strengthen international ties.

The atmosphere at the venue reflected the intensity of the match at Sky Stadium in Wellington, with every goal attempt, defensive maneuver, and strategic play eliciting appropriate crowd emotions, as both teams gave it their all in an effort to snag all three points in play.

As the Filipinas successfully fended off the Football Ferns, it revealed a mix of jubilation and relief while also showcasing sportsmanship. New Zealand Ambassador Peter Kell extended warm congratulations to the Filipino supporters present.

He shares, "Sa totoo lang, ngayong araw, naramdaman ko ang kapangyarihan ng Team Filipinas at ng kanilang mga tagahanga at tagasuporta. Both Football Ferns and Team Filipinas skillfully displayed a great fight. We are immensely grateful to have organised this live viewing event with the Philippine Football Federation and to witness the fervent support for women's football. The camaraderie and unity displayed by everyone today are a testament to the power of sports in bringing people together."

The Philippine Football Federation adds, "This event has shown the true essence of football and its ability to unite people from different backgrounds. We are grateful for the opportunity to host this event alongside the New Zealand Embassy and strengthen our ties through our shared love for the sport."

All-in-all, the viewing party served as a successful platform for fostering unity, camaraderie, and cultural exchange between New Zealand and the Philippines, highlighting the ability of football to bridge the gap and share passion between nations. It also celebrated women's football and the commitment each side is willing to make in continuing to uplift it.

adidas set to provide quality outfit support for FIFA Women's World Cup

Filipinas get additional support from adidas

Adidas is set to provide the best kind of support for the teams they are equipping in the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup, specifically providing them with women's specific innovations.

Each of the ten federations (Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, Spain, Sweden, and the Philippines), will receive over fifteen times more women-specific products than what the teams in the previous Women's World Cup edition, whether apparel, hardware, and footwear.

They also worked with experts to ensure the ladies get the best quality equipment possible, whether in the aspect of sports bra engineering or in-kit period support.

For the former, bespoke 1-1 fittings through adidas' Expert Fitter collective to ensure adequate breast support whilst also providing the necessary comfort. 

The latter provide those in a state of menstruation with an extra layer of protection against leaks whilst on the field when worn with a tampon or pad. Integrated with the signature FlowShield Technology, the period support performance short is set to complement federation kits in either White, Black, and Arctic Night, as well as the ones in currently available in the Stay in Play collection.

adidas Senior Product Manager Claudia Scholl shares, "Football can be very physically demanding. Breasts can move up to 19cm in high impact movements. Players can make 100 sprints in a game where they reach in excess of 20KM/h. So correctly fitting product is essential. That’s why we are ensuring our teams get access to 1:1 fittings, technical sports bras and discreet period support; each rigorously tested in our innovation labs alongside athletes. This is an essential part of removing barriers to the sport uniquely faced by women – and just one of the ways we want to create pathways to sport at every level."

The kit bag is the latest innovation from adidas for the FIFA Women's World Cup, following their nature-inspired women's only away kits to the Oceanuz, which is the competition's official match ball.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy set for Philippines visit

The FIFA Women's World Cup trophy

The Philippines will be one of the countries that will be a part of the biggest-ever FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy Tour.

Slated for March 1-2, the trophy makes its way to the country for the first time, appropriately with the Senior Women's National Team making its tournament debut later this year in New Zealand.

A public viewing is scheduled for the 1st of March, with the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati serving as the host venue from 3-6pm. A variety of activities are planned at that time to help celebrate the women's game, including mini-games, as well as the chance to have a photo with the trophy.

The Philippine Football Federation believes that having the trophy around will help boost the campaign of our Filipinas, as they continue their preparations towards an instant impact in the WWC.

"We are delighted to welcome the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy in Manila as the excitement
continues to build up for the Filipinas' debut in the most prestigious women’s football tournament in
the world. We invite all football fans and stakeholders to come and visit the trophy when it arrives here to see women's football’s biggest prize," shares PFF president Mariano Araneta.

PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes adds, "We hope that the upcoming trophy tour would inspire Filipino football fans and players, particularly young women’s players nationwide. It is a unique moment for everyone to see the trophy which is only seen during the official draw and the final match of the Women’s World Cup."