Emily Chapman Laing
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews visited Melbourne City Football Club to recognise their important work in the community.
On Wednesday 12 April, Mr Andrews, joined by Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards, visited Casey Fields.
The Andrews Labor Government has backed a $50,000 election commitment to help Melbourne City’s ‘City in the Community’ (CITC) programs.
CITC uses the “power of football” to “promote employment, social inclusion and physical activity”.
“It’s a wonderful unifier,” Mr Andrews said.
“It’s all about giving kids structure and teaching them soft skills like how to be part of a team, how to relate to others and how to keep busy doing something that’s fundamentally enjoyable.
“And this program is much cheaper and much more accessible than being a member of a club, so this is a really important opportunity.”
Mr Andrews says there’s also some significant career paths coming out of the program.
“You start off as part of the community program, next thing you’re a team leader, next thing Melbourne City has got you on staff running other important community programs.”
The Andrews government has invested more than $1.6 billion to upgrade and improve recreation reserves and sports grounds across the state.
Mr Andrews says backing this commitment also creates jobs.
“There’s many thousands of people working in delivering those important upgrades in country towns and suburban hubs like this one,” he said.
“Sports are important to us because they’re important to the Victorian community.”
The club was established in 2010 and their community outreach programs have engaged over 100,000 young Victorians using football to “promote wellbeing, education, employment and gender equity”.
Many of these young people go on to become part of the Young Leaders program, where young people aged 16-24 volunteer with CITC staff.
Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards says she has enjoyed watching CITC operate within her community.
“I’ve seen Melbourne City out in schools in the area.
“For me to be able to see them getting the kids together and having fun makes my heart sing.
“And seeing the girls and boys play together, it just shows that the program does unify people and it gives these kids those connections.”
