In a tumultuous week for Melbourne City, the A-League Champions have announced that they have commenced the construction of their new Etihad City Football Academy Melbourne, with 84 hectares allocated for the new sporting precinct in South East Melbourne.
First on the agenda is the construction of an elite central training pitch with a 115m x 115 hybrid grass surface, next to the pre-existing four pitches current utilised by City’s academy teams and community programs.
Pre-season training for City’s A-League and W-League teams will commence at the new site in Casey in August and September respectively.
In a landmark year for the club, City is on the verge of creating their own identity in the south-east, an untapped market within the A-League, something in which the Team 11 bid during the 2018 round of expansion attempted to tap into and have since joined City in their mission.
Securing the ‘double’ of A-League Premiership and Championship trophies has legitimised Melbourne City as the dominant force within the A-League, cementing their place as a side bound to decimate opposition defences in the league in the years to come. This new academy is the next step.
Relocating from their pre-existing base at Latrobe University, this Etihad Academy is the second to be built by the CFG in Melbourne.
“The welcome we have received in the South East has been extraordinary, and we cannot wait to see the Etihad City Football Academy come to life. This is more than an elite training facility, it’s a home for football in South East Melbourne” CEO Brad Rowse said.
“This has been a momentous season for Melbourne City FC – starting with the announcement of our move to South East Melbourne and right up until last weekend’s grand final win.”
“The December announcement of Melbourne City’s move to South East Melbourne was met with great enthusiasm in our community, and to now see signs of life in the development of the next stage of what will be a truly world class facility will only increase that level of excitement” City of Casey Chair of Administrators Ms Noelene Duff said.
Image Supplied: Melbourne City
I sincerly hope city do not move to Dandy. Cmon you boys in green 🟢⚪🟢