For the second time in 2016, Melbourne City FC is celebrating its ongoing commitment to the Victorian community by highlighting the work of the Club’s City in the Community (CITC) program across 27 November – 3 December 2016.
The bi-annual event – which was last celebrated in February – City in the Community Week launched on Sunday at AAMI Park, as Melbourne City’s Westfield W-League and Hyundai A-League teams took the field for an entertaining double-header.
With social responsibility an essential part of the fabric of Melbourne City FC, CITC will run several programs throughout the week, using the power of football to inspire, educate and create opportunities for men, women and youth of various social and multicultural backgrounds.
On Sunday, City in the Community highlighted its work through Cityzens Giving, with Young Leaders from the ‘I Speak Football’ program encouraging fans attending the match at AAMI Park to ‘choose your cause’.
Launched in 2014, the Cityzens Giving program includes a campaign, funding based on fans votes and additional training for Young Leaders.
Cityzens Giving currently incorporates 12 projects in 12 cities, giving the fans of Melbourne City FC and sister clubs Manchester City FC and New York City FC the opportunity to decide how funds are split by voting for their favourite project.
Melbourne’s project, ‘I Speak Football’, uses football to bring young people from different communities together to build social connections and reduce isolation.
Young Leader Albert, 23, and other young leaders have brought together over 300 young people from diverse communities over the last two years, teaching them about the importance of respect, friendship and understanding.
To learn more about the I Speak Football Project, which is delivered in partnership with Melbourne City in the Community and Centre for Multi-Cultural Youth (CMY), visit cityzensgiving.org/melbourne
