A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will contribute $1.6 million to expand Melbourne Victory’s successful Our Game, Our Community program.
Our Game, Our Community offers programs for schools, clubs, charities and culturally diverse communities that encourage social cohesion and deliver football initiatives that engage young people in their local community.
The program also hosts tournaments, open training sessions and school holiday clinics engaging with thousands of junior players from schools and clubs across Victoria.
The program will be funded at $400,000 per year from 2019/20 until 2022/23.
Sport is a powerful tool for engaging at risk youths and this program is doing that through initiatives including:
- Grow Victory’s Women’s Program – appoints female development officers to develop female programs in schools with a focus on under-represented communities.
- Grow Multicultural Program – delivers customised football programs to culturally diverse communities, focussing on Afghani, Asian, African, Arabic and Indian communities.
- Aboriginal Football Program – provides opportunities to engage young Aboriginal people through football via clinics, coach and school mentoring programs and indigenous football carnival.
- Regional Football Program – development program in major regional areas to engage local youth through football.
The announcement follows yesterday’s announcement that a re-elected Labor Government will add $20 million to the highly successful World Game Facilities Fund.
The fund can be accessed by local soccer clubs and organisations to install lighting, upgrade or develop turf pitches, install synthetic pitches or build unisex accessible change rooms.
The Andrews Labor Government has invested $420 million into community sport – more than any other government in the history of Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren
“Sport is a great way to engage with young people who may be losing their way – this program uses the world game to get them on the park and keep them engaged.”
“I applaud Melbourne Victory for the work they’re doing in the community and we’re proud to be supporting them.”
Quotes attributable to Melbourne Victory CEO Trent Jacobs
“This is a program we’re very proud of and we’re delighted that a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will continue to support us.”
“We’ve seen this program produce some very positive outcomes and I hope it continues helping at risk youths for many years to come.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020