Before Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United’s pre-season friendly match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, football codes came together on the day to test their skills in a first-ever junior clinic.
Hosted at Collingwood Football Club’s training facility of AIA Vitality Centre, the Aussie Rules AFL team was joined by the visiting Spurs.
Across two sporting codes, a common denominator is that AIA proudly supports both and through the affiliation, combined for a once in a lifetime coaching clinic.
Tottenham and Collingwood players were in attendance, along with AIA Ambassador and former Hawthorn premiership player Shane Crawford.
Junior soccer and AFL club players were treated to a memorable day of fun and skills training, aimed at promoting AIA’s vision of communities living happier and healthier lives. This included specialised drills, authentic coaching and a Q&A session for all kids to learn and benefit from.
AIA is a long-time partner of Tottenham, while their recent front-of-shirt deal with Melbourne Victory further emphasised their support for Australian football.
Speaking to Soccerscene, AIA Australia CEO Damien Mu reflected on a hugely successful day for participants.
“The AIA junior clinic was fantastic, it was all about giving an opportunity for kids to get active and participate in training with Tottenham and Collingwood coaches,” he said.
“We thought it was a rare opportunity and fantastic way to really promote active participation in sport.
“At AIA, we encourage people to live happier, longer, and better lives and being active is one of those – with other important choices such as what you eat and looking after your mental wellbeing.
“We’ve sponsored Tottenham since 2013 and the fact they’re out here with Ange taking over was an opportunity we couldn’t miss.”
“We also sponsor Collingwood and most recently Melbourne Victory, so we thought what a great way to get the three clubs together and Collingwood were fantastic in hosting at the AIA Vitality Centre and getting behind it, with all three teams giving back to the community.”
It was a momentous occasion for Victorian fans, as Ange Postecoglou has completed his first full season at the Spurs.
Mu shared what the excitement was like on the day.
“Undoubtably, having Ange had a huge impact,” he said.
“We’ve been fortunate to have Tottenham come out a few times – in Sydney and then Perth last year – it’s always a massive buzz and gives such a good lift to football.
“With Ange now there, it’s given that a super boost and the energy that’s around him, along with having two EPL teams in town, which is why just over 78,000 people went to the MCG on a weeknight.
“All of this is a great way to get kids attached to the game and have active participation post-World Cup, rather than being stuck on smart devices.”
Melbourne Victory, who were preparing for the A-League Men’s Grand Final against Central Coast Mariners, were backed by AIA as a Finals Series sponsor.
Mu described what he and AIA saw in Victory leading up to the deal being struck.
“Melbourne Victory have had a great season, been long-standing as one of the original clubs in the A-League and a cornerstone of the league from the start,” he said.
“It was a great opportunity that arose given our affiliation with football globally through Tottenham.
“We had ongoing conversations with Victory about how we can partner up, and it seemed like a great way to support them at a time when they were seeking that support going into the finals.
“They’re a great club – it really is about family, community and business coming together. Even Ange touched on the community feel, all the way back in his South Melbourne days.
“We definitely love the community aspect of what Victory are trying to do and how they like to get out there and promote the game as well.”
Reflecting on the community theme, Mu added what he sees in collaborating with sporting organisations.
“When we think partnerships, we want them to be purposeful,” he said.
“It’s great to be on the shirt, but it’s more about what we do with clubs in relation to health and wellbeing.
“Our sporting clubs are great because it provides genuine role models to cheer on within family and friends.
“It allows us to get really meaningful health and wellbeing content from the players and coaches that we know fans and members absolutely love, rather than a company with three letters on it telling you what we do.”
From a long-term perspective, AIA are hoping to maintain their presence in Asia and Oceania.
Mu shared the overall success of the junior clinic where we can expect more to come.
“We’re really lucky with the partnership through Tottenham where there’s coaching clinics right across the markets we operate in Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
“The clinics are really important as they get out to schools and the clubs, especially at grassroots level.
“When the whole team comes into town, you get a boost, but this is something we’ve been doing for a while and part of the collaboration with Tottenham where we are proud to do these clinics in Australia and New Zealand.”
