By Lachlan Mitchell
The City of Casey had the eyes of the soccer loving fraternity glued upon it with the Macca’s City Cup taking pride of place at Casey Fields.
The tournament sprung to life between 12 to 14 April.
The competition comprises of the next generation of soccer stars from Under 7’s all the way through to Under 16’s
This year’s tournament combined with the Casey Cup to have over 120 teams .
This includes a Melbourne City Football School, as well as a community team from the “ I Speak Football” program, from Narre Warren P-12 college.
Local team affiliates of NPL teams Dandenong Thunder and Dandenong City were also in attendance.
Dandenong Thunder’s under 10’s coach Rick Grech praised the Melbourne City support staff, for their ability to keep the elite facility open to the public.
“Its probably one of the best (facilities) in the state,” he said.
“The facilities are amazing, it’s what football needs especially down here in the south-east…we have been a big fan of the area.
“We actually train with the City group as well, so we are down here on a regular basis, over Covid we were coming down here to train, it’s so good the facilities are open to the public to use.
“It couldn’t get anything better than what we have got here in Casey.”
The tournament brings together different junior youth sides from all over Melbourne, from as far wide as Altona.
“It’s one of the biggest tournaments, this is one of the main tournaments that everyone wants to be in and obviously everyone wants to win,” Grech said
“We find it to be one of the better ones going around.”
Melbourne City has established itself right in the middle of the local community as well as international sporting landscapes.
“They (Melbourne City) have been great, you obviously had (Melbourne) Victory who was always dominating, now Melbourne City are going next level now they are taking over the reins,” Grech said.
“The City development is taking over and we enjoy the facilities and the things that City are doing for the community as well.”
