But this near-final step on the Matildas’ ‘Road to Rio’ will also be about spending a lot of time in the community and working with the region’s soccer talent, having fun, before their send-off.

The Australian women’s soccer team arrived in Ballarat on Monday, including a string of key players flying in from the United States, for an intense week-long training camp.

Matildas defender Caitlin Cooper said this really was the business end of training but players also looked forward to meeting as many fans as they could.

“A few of the girls we haven’t seen for a few months so it’s all very exciting. Training will be getting down all the positional plays before we have to fly out,” Cooper said. 

“Ballarat seems like a real close-knit community and the stadium feels great and is looking good so hopefully we can get as many fans out here as possible for our training and match.”

The Matildas will host New Zealand at Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility on Saturday afternoon before a repeat match in a double-header with the Socceroos versus Greece at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, next week.

Cooper said the smaller confines of the Ballarat stadium should make for a particularly fun atmosphere.

The Matildas have been generating hype since powering to the World Cup quarter-finals in Canada last year. They then launched their Olympic qualifying run with a 3-1 win against World Cup finalists Japan in February. The Matildas arrive in Ballarat ranked fifth in the world.

Cooper said the team was really fit in February and was confident players were just as fit now.

Ballarat deputy mayor Belinda Coates, a long-time advocate for women’s sport, said the Matildas’ visit was a great kudos for the region.

“It’s really good for women and girls to have role models, like the Matildas, represented here in Ballarat,” Cr Coates said. “The match will be entertaining for every one, especially with the skill they’ve shown to this point. There’s a lot to be proud about.”

This is the second major international team camp at the modern Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility. The Bahraini national men’s team camped in Ballarat for their Asian Cup preparations, including a practice match against Jordan, early last year. 

Ballarat mayor Des Hudson said the Matildas’ stop in Ballarat reinforced the potential this city could offer with its investment in sporting facilities. This includes AFL at Eureka Stadium next year, the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre 50-metre pool and the soon-to-be developed Ballarat Sports and Events Centre.

More than 2000 tickets to the Matildas-New Zealand match in Ballarat have sold online. All tickets sold online have a chance to win a signed Matildas guernsey: ballarat.vic.gov.au. Kick-off is Saturday, 3pm at Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility.