In a big week for football, The Home of The Matildas at La Trobe University was host to some very special guests, connecting some of the world’s biggest football brands with home-grown emerging talent.
Football Victoria (FV) was thrilled to welcome Victorian Premier, The Hon. Jacinta Allan and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos and State Member for Bundoora, The Hon. Colin Brooks, joining representatives from Arsenal FC, Newcastle United FC (NUFC), and the A-League All Stars, to celebrate Global Football Week at The Home of the Matildas.
As part of the celebrations, 24 young talented players took part in a coaching session led by NUFC, while more than 40 Victorian coaches also had the opportunity to observe and participate in a technical coaching seminar.
Players were taken through their paces by NUFC’s Academy and Player Development team, given the opportunity to showcase their skills for the visiting contingent.
Speaking on the day, Premier Jacinta Allan expressed she was “really excited” to be back at The Home of the Matildas in such an exciting week for Victorian football.
“This week has very much been a terrific celebration of the beautiful game with Global Football Week, bringing some of the superstars from around the world, to come and join our home-grown talent.
“To be part of, not just the big events that we saw last night and will see tomorrow night, but also this really exciting and unique opportunity for junior players, coaches and administrators, to hear and learn from the world's best, alongside cheering them on in our own backyard.”
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos said Global Football Week has been a "big deal" for Victoria.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Victorians to be able to see the teams they love right here in their home city, rather than catching a flight to the UK.”
The Home of the Matildas was built in partnership with the Labor Government, who invested $42 million into the state-of-the-art facility. This world-class training base has transformed football in Victoria, continuing to grow our game and support generations to come.
NUFC Chief Commercial Officer Peter Silverstone described playing in Victoria as “incredible”, with the 78,000-strong crowd at the MCG the biggest attendance Newcastle and Tottenham have played in front of this season.
“I've been bowled over by the sporting facilities here, incredible, and this facility itself by Football Victoria is a testament to that, absolutely incredible.
“For Newcastle United to be part of the Global Football Week and spreading our brand, engaging with fans across the world, is fantastic.”
Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks expressed his excitement for the clinic at the State Football Centre.
“Our homegrown talent has a chance to train alongside some of the English Premier League’s best and brightest – giving more grassroots players a game-changing opportunity.”
Global Football Week marks the homecoming of Melburnian Ange Postecoglou, following an epic first year as Manager of Tottenham Hotspur FC, as well as the first time a Women’s Super League team has played in Australia – featuring CommBank Matildas Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord.
The final matches of Global Football Week will take place tomorrow night (May 24) at Marvel Stadium with the A-League All-Stars taking on Arsenal FC (Women) and Newcastle United FC (Men).