AAMI Park is set to host VPL Grand Final after Melbourne Heart’s first home fixture on October 14
Melbourne Heart, in conjunction with Football Federation Victoria (FFV) have announced they will stage the 2012 Victorian Premier League Grand Final at AAMI Park following Heart-s second round Hyundai A-League match against Wellington Phoenix.
Heart tackles Phoenix at AAMI at 3pm on 14 October and FFV has scheduled the VPL Grand Final to commence at 5.30pm, directly after Heart-s first home match of the 2012 roster.
The partnership will provide fans of the Hyundai A-League and the VPL the chance to enjoy a unique double header, combining elite level football and the finale of Victoria-s top tier season in an afternoon football feast.
Melbourne Heart-s Chief Executive Officer Scott Munn has welcomed the accord.
“It-s a fantastic opportunity for both parties to work closely together to showcase our Club-s first home match and the VPL grand final,” Munn said.
“With excitement already building around the new season, it will be the perfect opportunity for us to kick-off our home form with a bang and the VPL to conclude in front of a large audience.
“Hopefully both matches will attract great interest, large crowds and demonstrate passionate support of both the national and local competitions.
“It will also be a day to celebrate grassroots football and we will be acknowledging winners of grassroots competitions in 2012 during the half-time break of our match.”
FFV Chief Executive Mark Rendell says this is a great decision for the VPL and he thanked his counterparts at Melbourne Heart for helping make it happen.
“The VPL Grand Final is the showpiece game of the Victorian season and to have it at AAMI Park following an A-League match is good for the game,” Rendell said.
“This season has been particularly exciting in the VPL, and the quality of football played has been impressive, so it is fitting that the competition, regarded as the second best football competition in Australia, should host its final at one of the country-s finest football grounds.”
“Negotiations with our friends at Melbourne Heart have been particularly easy. Heart have always been supportive of grassroots initiatives in the sport and being prepared to help make this happen signals the importance they, and FFV, put on the VPL Grand Final.”
