Melbourne Heart FC will kick-off the 2011 Westpac Community Football Festival on the border after announcing Albury-Wodonga as host of the event’s first leg in August.
Melbourne Heart FC will kick-off the 2011 Westpac Community Football Festival on the border after announcing Albury-Wodonga as host of the event-s first leg in August.
The Hyundai A-League side will arrive in the town on August 4 for the start of the three-day football extravaganza, which includes a practice match against an Albury-Wodonga Football Association representative side at La Trobe University-s Albury-Wodonga campus.
The festival will see Heart engage with the local football and business community through a series of clinics and events, courtesy of Westpac-s local network of branches.
Westpac-s ‘Coach the Coach- program is set to be one of the highlights of the festival, with Heart Head Coach John van ‘t Schip and Assistant Ante Milicic holding a seminar educating local football clubs on the latest tactical and technical innovations in the game.
Heart Chief Executive Officer Scott Munn revealed the Club is excited to be bringing the Hyundai A-League to Albury Wodonga for an extended period.
“The Albury-Wodonga region has a rich football heritage and we are delighted to build on this by heading up to the border for leg one of the Westpac Community Football Festival,” he said.
“Although we are in our infancy, the Club is steadfast in the belief that it bears a distinct responsibility to further the cause of football throughout the state and help inspire the next generation of Victorians.
“And through our partnership with Westpac, the Club is delighted to extend a hand and support Albury Wodonga-s local football community.”
Westpac Regional General Manager, Central Vic Country, Ken Larkin said: “We are really excited to be able to help bring Melbourne Heart FC and elite football to the Albury-Wodonga community.
“One of the reasons Westpac partnered with the team is their focus on taking football to regional communities. The Albury Wodonga festival will feature as part of a month of fantastic regional football activity across Victoria.”
Wodonga Mayor Cr Mark Byatt said the festival would provide a great boost to football in Albury-Wodonga.
“After working with Melbourne Heart FC for some time, it is great to hear that the festival is coming to Albury-Wodonga,” he said.
“The best local players will get a chance to prove themselves against some of Australia-s best, while coaches and players will get a real buzz learning off a professional football club. We congratulate Melbourne Heart FC for choosing Albury-Wodonga.”
Wodonga Council is supporting the Westpac Community Football Festival through its Event Attraction Contribution Fund.
