FOOTBALL Federation Australia rates both Geelong and Torquay as "ideal" host cities for a World Cup soccer team.
Geelong and the Surf Coast could reap a flood of tourists and worldwide exposure in the event of Australia's successful World Cup bid, if the FFA's prediction proves correct. FFA is currently preparing a bid for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
A local tournament is tipped to attract 1.2 million international visitors, 325,000 corporate guests, 19,000 journalists and photographers and trigger some 250,000 local tourists to travel interstate.
Australia's peak football body is requesting top hotels put in expressions of interest to host an international team throughout the six-week tournament.
FIFA, world soccer's governing body, requires a city to have;
A FOUR or five star hotel.
A QUALITY training pitch for the squads.
A MEDIA centre for journalists to file stories to their respective countries.
A MAJOR airport near the city.
FFA's corporate affairs head Bonita Mersiades confirmed this week both regions meet all the requirements.
FFA will submit 64 potential host cities to FIFA in May next year, with a decision on both the 2018-22 tournaments made on December 2.
The 32 teams will then hand-pick the locations.
"Torquay and Geelong, in particular as a gateway to the Great Ocean Road, would be a really attractive location for an international team," Ms Mersiades said.
"When coaches get teams into camp for the biggest tournament in the world they also want teams to be able to relax and enjoy themselves.
"I would've thought both were an ideal location. That beautiful environment to be in while you train and get focussed on the games."
The Socceroos will base themselves at a picturesque big-game park just outside Johannesburg for next year's South African World Cup.
Geelong's Four Point Sheraton said it would "definitely" pursue the opportunity.
"We host all the interstate AFL teams when they come to town, we're sponsors of the UCI Road World Cycling (later) this year and will host all the cyclists and also did the US swim team for the world championships," said Four points sales director, Andrew St Ledger.
Surf Coast Soccer Club president Joe Taylor, who also works for the office of Corangamite MP Darren Cheeseman, said Torquay's host bid would be strengthened by its three-pitch facility.
Funds have already been committed to the soccer-centre with construction set for mid-2010
Geelong and the Surf Coast could reap a flood of tourists and worldwide exposure in the event of Australia's successful World Cup bid, if the FFA's prediction proves correct. FFA is currently preparing a bid for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
A local tournament is tipped to attract 1.2 million international visitors, 325,000 corporate guests, 19,000 journalists and photographers and trigger some 250,000 local tourists to travel interstate.
Australia's peak football body is requesting top hotels put in expressions of interest to host an international team throughout the six-week tournament.
FIFA, world soccer's governing body, requires a city to have;
A FOUR or five star hotel.
A QUALITY training pitch for the squads.
A MEDIA centre for journalists to file stories to their respective countries.
A MAJOR airport near the city.
FFA's corporate affairs head Bonita Mersiades confirmed this week both regions meet all the requirements.
FFA will submit 64 potential host cities to FIFA in May next year, with a decision on both the 2018-22 tournaments made on December 2.
The 32 teams will then hand-pick the locations.
"Torquay and Geelong, in particular as a gateway to the Great Ocean Road, would be a really attractive location for an international team," Ms Mersiades said.
"When coaches get teams into camp for the biggest tournament in the world they also want teams to be able to relax and enjoy themselves.
"I would've thought both were an ideal location. That beautiful environment to be in while you train and get focussed on the games."
The Socceroos will base themselves at a picturesque big-game park just outside Johannesburg for next year's South African World Cup.
Geelong's Four Point Sheraton said it would "definitely" pursue the opportunity.
"We host all the interstate AFL teams when they come to town, we're sponsors of the UCI Road World Cycling (later) this year and will host all the cyclists and also did the US swim team for the world championships," said Four points sales director, Andrew St Ledger.
Surf Coast Soccer Club president Joe Taylor, who also works for the office of Corangamite MP Darren Cheeseman, said Torquay's host bid would be strengthened by its three-pitch facility.
Funds have already been committed to the soccer-centre with construction set for mid-2010
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