Melbourne City FC officially launched City in the Community – the Club’s community engagement and outreach program – at Victoria’s Parliament House in Melbourne on Friday morning.
Designed to forge closer links between the Club and the local Victorian community, the CITC program was formalised and launched by the Club’s Head of Community, Sue Crow, with guests gathering at Parliament House in Melbourne’s CBD to celebrate the announcement.
With social responsibility an essential part of the fabric of Melbourne City FC, the Club will work globally with City Football Group CITC programs run by Manchester City FC and New York City FC, while working with local Victorian communities to inspire, educate and create opportunities.
Melbourne City FC CEO Scott Munn, Hyundai A-League player James Brown and Westfield W-League goalkeeper Brianna Davey were present at the launch from the Club for the launch.
State Member for Bundoora, Colin Brooks MP, Shadow Minster for Trade and Investment and Jobs and Melbourne City FC Ambassador, Craig Ondarchie MP, former Club Chairman and Life Member, Peter Sidwell, and representatives from community partners Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY), Westpac, MatchWorks, VicHealth and Disability Sport and Recreation were among the attendees.
“Since our inception we have engaged with over 150,000 young boys and girls, connected with our passionate supporter base and provided opportunities through our our dedicated community programs,” Munn said.
“While we have been operating under City in the Community since last year, to formalise our community engagement under one banner is extremely exciting.”
With three full-time members of staff dedicated to the Club’s Community Programs, CITC runs a range of sports intervention projects, establishing areas of co-operation within the local community in regards to coaching, elite training, playing and match day opportunities, football development and student education initiatives.
CITC projects such as the Melbourne City College of Football, City Football Schools and the City Club program allow local Victorian clubs to draw upon the expertise of Melbourne City FC and the City Football Group, while the Cityzens Giving initiative allows the Club to engage and empower a variety of groups from local communities.
The City in the Community engagement program also uses football for means of social change, with one of the Club’s social outreach programs, City Sisters, in partnership with MatchWorks, helping 20 young unemployed women to gain employment and re-engage with study through football clinics.
The Club also held its first ‘City Cup’ competition in September 2015 which saw U/12 teams across the state participate in a round robin tournament at the Melbourne City FC Academy Pitches.
Northcote City were crowned the inaugural tournament champions, winning the opportunity to travel to the UK and play against a Manchester City Academy side in January 2016.
