MELBOURNE Victory’s burgeoning relationship with the Mitchell area has continued to grow, with the club announcing a strategic football partnership with Assumption College as part of its plans to establish itself as the premier sporting club in the region.
The partnership ensures Victory are keen to remain the most well-known soccer organisation in the state, as well as laying its marker in Melbourne’s growing northern region battleground to compete with local rivals Melbourne City, who has its Melbourne City Football School program at Bundoora’s Parade College.
The four-time men’s champions and three-time women’s champions will provide Assumption students with access to elite coaching, mentorship and pathways to professional sport as a result of the program.
Last Tuesday’s launch event at Assumption College saw speeches from College and club leaders, training demonstrations on Carroll Oval and Melbourne Victory footballers in attendance.
The day was headlined by the appearance of Marco Rojas, who works within the Academy for Melbourne Victory, having also played on 45 occasions for his native New Zealand in international football, while also making 119 appearances and scoring 39 goals for Victory alongside stints in Germany for Stuttgart and Heerenveen in the Netherlands.
Paul Finneran, Assumption College principal, said it was another key cog to success for the college going forward.
“Today’s launch is a stark acknowledgement of soccer’s contribution to sport at Assumption College, and it is our hope that this partnership with Melbourne Victory Football Club inspires excitement about the opportunities this collaboration brings for current and future students,” he said.
Caroline Carnegie, Managing Director of Melbourne Victory, said it was another way the club would give back to the Mitchell community.
“Melbourne Victory is proud to welcome Assumption College into our Performance Schools network. This partnership further strengthens our commitment to the Mitchell Shire and enhances our focus on developing young talent in an environment that supports both football excellence and academic achievement. Together, we are creating a clear and meaningful pathway for the next generation of Victory players,” she said.
“It’s a thrill for us to be here. Melbourne Victory Performance Schools are a big part of what we like to do. It helps us to not just identify talent but make sure every one of you and every one of your families and everyone at Assumption College comes to games and gets to learn a little bit more about Melbourne Victory and football.”
The move to link up with Assumption College continues to elevate Melbourne Victory’s standing in the Mitchell Shire area.
Construction of Melbourne Victory’s Northern Campus in Beveridge will begin in the coming months after the club agreed to an in-principle agreement with the Mitchell Shire Council, following negotiations which started almost two years ago.
The $35 million facility will support the club’s women’s and academy programs, with the facility fully managed by the club, including three full-sized football pitches and four synthetic small-sized pitches.
The facility will give students from Assumption an unprecedented opportunity for access once completed, which Melbourne Victory will hope cements it as its new hub for excellence.
