Construction begins for Melbourne City’s South East Melbourne home

Following a historic inaugural A-League championship and premiership double, Melbourne City have confirmed that construction has begun on the brand-new Etihad City Football Academy Melbourne.

A formal ‘groundbreaking’ ceremony attended by senior executives and community leaders from the City of Casey, the City of Greater Dandenong, Cardinia Shire Council and Melbourne City FC formally kicked off construction at the 84-hectare sporting precinct in South East Melbourne.

The first stage of construction includes the central elite training pitch, with its 115m x 115m hybrid grass surface, due for completion by the end of 2021. The new pitch is adjacent to the site’s existing four full-sized pitches – one grass and three synthetic – which will be primarily used by the Club’s Academy teams and for City in the Community programs, as well as for City of Casey school and club programs.

Fields

The next stage of construction will see the development of Melbourne City’s new two-storey administration and high-performance building at Casey Fields, currently in detailed design phase. Construction on that phase of the facility is due to commence in the coming months, with completion estimated for mid-2022.

The Club’s Academy teams started training and playing at Casey Fields in February, while administration staff will begin working from Casey Fields next month. Melbourne City’s championship-winning A-League team and four-time Westfield W-League championship winning side commence 2021-22 pre-season training on site in August and September respectively.

Melbourne City CEO Brad Rowse and City of Casey CEO Glenn Patterson were on hand to put the first spade in the Casey Fields ground.

“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,” Rowse said.

“Both moments are just the beginning of an exciting future for the Club, the fans, the staff, players and the wider community.

“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.”

Players training

City of Casey Chair of Administrators Ms. Noelene Duff PSM celebrated Melbourne City’s firm establishment in the South East of Melbourne.

“The commencement of construction on the City Football Academy at Casey Fields is another exciting milestone in this wonderful partnership that is developing between the City of Casey and Melbourne City Football Club,” she said.

“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.

“The impending move of some of Australia’s best footballers, coaches and sporting administrators will be a wonderful addition to our community, providing positive role models and engagement opportunities on many levels.”

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Melbourne Victory teams up with Superdry

Melbourne Victory has confirmed a new alliance with Superdry, marking the beginning of an exciting collaboration between the two brands.

As part of the deal, Superdry came on board as the official off-field clothing partner for the club’s friendly match against Wrexham AFC at Marvel Stadium on July 11th, fans at the game were able to enjoy some great giveaways from the brand.

Superdry is a modern, fashion-forward brand celebrated for blending vintage Americana and Japanese-inspired graphics with a distinctive British twist.

Their use of high-quality fabrics, unique washes, intricate hand-drawn artwork, and expertly tailored fits truly sets them apart from the crowd.

This one-of-a-kind style has earned Superdry worldwide popularity and a dedicated, ever-growing celebrity following.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director Caroline Carnegie said the club was thrilled to team up with such a high-quality brand for an event that promised to be a memorable experience for all football fans.

“Our partnership with Superdry for this event is a great opportunity for us to work with a quality brand that is well aligned with our fans and values as a Club,” Carnegie said in a press release.

“I look forward to seeing the team arriving for our match against Wrexham AFC kitted out in the latest range at Marvel Stadium this week.”

To celebrate the collaboration, fans will have the chance to win a 2025/26 membership pack and a $1,000 Superdry voucher, plus the unique opportunity to shop at a Melbourne Superdry store alongside their favourite Victory player – fans should keep an eye on Victory’s social media for all the competition details.

Alastair Davies, General Manager of Licensed Brands at Superdry, said the brand is excited to support Melbourne Victory and connect its British roots with Australia’s sporting culture.

“Superdry is proud to dress Melbourne Victory as they face off against Wrexham AFC,”  Davies said press release.

“As a brand born in the UK, it’s rewarding to see our British heritage connect with Australia’s sporting culture on a global stage.”

This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for both Melbourne Victory and Superdry, bringing style and sport closer than ever.

Wellington Phoenix unveil Dynasty Sport as new apparel provider

Wellington Phoenix have confirmed a new partnership with Dynasty Sport, who will become the club’s official apparel provider from the 2025/26 A-Leagues season onwards.

Under the agreement, Dynasty will design and produce apparel for the Phoenix men’s and women’s teams, as well as kit out the club’s eight academy sides from early 2025.

The New Zealand-based brand, launched in 2018, is renowned for supplying high-quality, ethically and sustainably produced sportswear to professional and grassroots organisations across New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

Dynasty Sport is a leading provider of premium custom sportwear, built on decades of top-tier experience in the global sports industry. With their deep passion for sport, they proudly supply high-performance on and off-field apparel to professional clubs, schools, grassroots teams, athletes, and businesses across New Zealand, Australia, and around the world.

The men’s new home kit for the upcoming A-League Men season has already been completed and will be unveiled on Thursday, 10 July, three months earlier than usual, to coincide with the highly anticipated friendly against Wrexham AFC. Fans can also look forward to two alternate away kits, ensuring the Phoenix can proudly wear their traditional home colours when they play in Wellington or Christchurch.

The women’s home kit and two alternate away strips are set to be revealed in September, ahead of the A-League Women campaign. In addition, Dynasty will release a lifestyle range for Phoenix supporters later this year, providing a wider selection of merchandise for fans.

This deal sees Wellington Phoenix join a growing list of clubs and organisations working with Dynasty Sport, whose focus on sustainable manufacturing and innovative designs aligns with the Phoenix’s values on and off the pitch.

Phoenix general manager David Dome spoke positively about the new agreement.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Dynasty Sport as our new apparel partner,” Dome said via club statement.

“Not only does their apparel look amazing and feel great to wear, but they have blown us away by how much they’re committed to helping the Phoenix succeed.

“We’re excited to work with Tyler and the Dynasty team over the next three years, creating designs and a range that truly resonate with our fans and reflect the spirit of our club.”

Dynasty Sport co-founder and director Tyler Rakich spoke about the importance of the company extending to the professional football space.

“This marks another significant step in our expansion into the pro football space,” Rakich said in a press release.

“We’re very excited to launch the new custom range for players, staff and fans, from the elite level performance kit to the fan apparel and fresh new lifestyle range.

“We are confident there is something for every fan regardless of colour preference and style and we are excited to launch the full range in September this year!”

The deal provides Wellington Phoenix with a modern, sustainable apparel solution while strengthening their commercial footprint and giving fans exciting new ways to show their support.

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