Melbourne City FC will commence its latest community program, City Soccer, after being awarded a $10,000 community grant from the Labor State Government last Tuesday.
City Soccer will begin in January at a parkland beside the revitalised Sunshine Railway Station and is aimed to engage young people and address anti-social behaviour through football.
Every Friday night, Melbourne City FC players along with local club coaches, members of Victoria Police and Brimbank City Council staff will run games and hold barbeques for teenagers who are either referred to the program from community groups or who are passing by the station.
Teenagers who participate will be rewarded with tickets to Melbourne City FC home games along with shoes and clothing donated from the Club’s players.
Melbourne City FC CEO Scott Munn said the project is a wonderful opportunity for the Club to use football to promote social inclusion.
“It’s breaking down the barriers for young boys and girls at-risk and give them some fun things to do in a non-threatening environment,” he said.
“This area is renowned for its football teams; there are wonderful football clubs in the area that are steeped in tradition, our own club has players that have grown up here, went to school here and now have professional football careers. It’s about giving anyone at any level an opportunity to run around and have a kick.”
The City Soccer program is among 109 crime prevention grants announced by the State Government, with over $800,000 awarded to fund crime prevention education, installation of security measures and outreach programs.
