Melbourne City FC, in partnership with the City of Casey, have officially unveiled the City Football Academy Melbourne at Casey Fields.
The facility was opened on Wednesday 10 April by City of Casey Chair of Administrators, Noelene Duff PSM and Melbourne City FC Vice Chairman, Simon Pearce.
City of Casey Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Patterson; City of Casey Administrator, Cameron Boardman; Melbourne City FC Chief Executive Officer, Brad Rowse; Federal Member for Holt, Cassandra Fernando; Member for Cranbourne, Pauline Richards; Member for Narre Warren South, Gary Maas; Member for Narre Warren North, Belinda Wilson; Member for North East Metro Region, Shaun Leane; and Member for South Eastern Metropolitan, Lee Tarlamis were also in attendance.
The 5,900m2 state-of-the-art facility will be home to the Club's elite A-League Men's and Women's teams, six Youth Academy teams, and administration department; setting a new standard for football in Australia.
Additionally, the Club's registered charity, City in the Community, and grassroots program, Melbourne City Football School, will call the new facility home. Casual community use will also be allocated to not-for-profit organisations, local football clubs, schools, and commercial groups from across Casey and surrounding municipalities.
The City of Casey has made a significant investment into the 11-hectare facility, contributing $12.3 million towards the $18.7 million project. The facility boasts two and a half grass pitches, three synthetic fields, 16 changerooms, a 60-seat theatrette, hot and cold hydrotherapy pools, two gyms, community classrooms, and extensive sports medicine, sports science, and administration spaces.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM said Council's partnership with Melbourne City FC will allow residents to engage with the Club via football pathways, leadership development programs and participation in community programs.
"Many in our community absolutely love the round ball game. I am looking forward to seeing our young people from the City of Casey's local football clubs, schools and neighbouring suburbs enjoying this facility side-by-side with some of Australia's best and brightest players and coaches," Ms Duff said.
Speaking at the launch, Melbourne City FC CEO, Brad Rowse, said: "We are thrilled to officially unveil the City Football Academy Melbourne at Casey Fields.
"This amazing facility will be the new home to our Men's, Women's, Academy, and Administration teams, and will allow us to come together under the one roof to train, share ideas and challenge each other every single day.
"We pride ourselves on being an innovative Club that has a positive impact on our local community, and with thousands of family homes now on our doorstep, we look forward to welcoming people from across Melbourne to Casey Fields to experience the City Football Academy themselves.
"We're setting new standards for football in Australia and laying the foundations for sustainable growth, on and off the pitch."
With construction of a grandstand and amenities cold shell, the foundation is now set for a future Women's Centre of Excellence to sit alongside the City Football Academy as a dedicated multi-purpose venue for women's sport.
