The unveiling of the mural commemorating the Matildas penalty shootout heroics at Suncorp Stadium. Photo: Erick Lucero/Football Australia

It was the moment which united a nation. Cortnee Vine stepping up to the penalty spot after an excruciatingly long shootout, etching her name in history and making herself a household name in the process.

It gave Australians a dream to hope that the Matildas could win the FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil for a few moments, before those dreams were dashed by England four days later.

But that did not matter. The Matildas and women’s football were here to stay.

Crowds have continued to sell out for the Matildas, A-League Women attendances have skyrocketed, and yet, it feels like a failure to fully capitalise on the event if the only legacy left from the World Cup is crowd increases and a mural?

Football can not be played without a field to kick the ball on, or facilities to develop the elite talent so that the next generation of Matildas can take on the world.

Vine was born in Victoria, but spent her developmental years in the Queensland at the Queensland Academy of Sport and Peninsula Power before debuting for Brisbane Roar at 15.

You can not be what you can not see, and so to that effect, a mural is a nice gesture, a permanent reminder of a moment which united the nation, but what next?

How does the next Cortnee Vine develop if there is no where for them to play, to train, to enjoy football?

At the mural’s unveiling on Tuesday, Queensland Premier Steven Miles talked about that night and how the action happened at the best rectangular field in the country.

A rectangular field so good, its summer tenants Brisbane Roar have already been kicked out for a game so a Luke Combs concert can take place, after a season where they had to play on a damaged pitch at the same venue, just months removed from Vine’s triumph.

He also talked about how by having and acknowledging the efforts of more of our great female athletes, more young women can be inspired to do great things for their state and country, including as Matildas.

And therein lies the big problem with the idea of leaving a World Cup legacy. All of these gestures are nice, but unless the Queensland government wants to invest in football, they are meaningless.

Being inspired is one thing, but where do they go to play and develop without tangible funding to provide venues and facilities to do those great things?

It is all well and good to pull the scarves out when the cameras are on and smile, but when the cameras go away and the scarf is thrown back in the closet, where does football stand?

Football needs to be at the funding table, especially in Queensland, where this continues to be an issue.

They have shown they will invest to get Matildas and Socceroos games, but what about the grassroots or the week in week out professional game?

Where is the government commitment to a long-term legacy beyond murals and international matches which do not have the same impact as tangible developments like funding for stadiums and facilities?

Football Queensland has been making continued efforts and pleas to the government for an increase and improvement in facilities, which seemingly fall on deaf ears.

Perry Park continues to become more rundown with every passing year and in desperate need of redevelopment, which could become the home of football in Queensland with investment from the government.

The eastern grandstand at Ballymore Stadium is unsafe for use, and Brisbane Roar had to stop using it as a training venue due to pitch issues.

Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast does not currently have a summer tenant, but cost issues impacted Gold Coast United during their brief time in the A-League.

Suncorp Stadium is the only rectangular stadium in South-East Queensland suitable for regular professional football, but one is not enough, and the capacity is way too large for a tenant like Brisbane Roar.

The Queensland government has made it clear it is not a priority, so what is the solution?

Does Football Australia need to turn down government money to host games in Queensland until they come to the table with funding?

Does Brisbane Roar need to threaten to relocate to help get funding for these facilities, a tactic often used by American sports team any time they want public money?

Or is there a different solution which could get Miles and his government to come to the table and give football its fair share?

Regardless of what the answer is, there is one thing that is absolutely clear.

A mural, which was originally supposed to be a statue, does not cut the mustard when it comes to leaving the footballing legacy that the Women’s World Cup was supposed to have.

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