Football Victoria and School Sport Victoria unite to bring more football and Futsal to schools

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Football Victoria (FV) have announced a significant partnership with School Sport Victoria (SSV) that will see opportunities to participate in football and futsal enhanced for school students across the state.

Pending COVID Safe guidelines, three tailor-made programs are set to kick-off in Term 4 which are designed for students of different ages and abilities to get involved in the world game.

FV CEO Kimon Taliadoros was excited to be teaming up with SSV to launch the initiatives, which will provide students a range of new and exciting pathways into football.

“Our partnership with School Sport Victoria continues to grow, with our united goal of providing more sporting opportunities for students, not only as players but as officials through our new Referees Academy program,” he said.

“With an objective of achieving 50/50 participation by 2027, the partnership with SSV enables us to provide equal access for boys and girls to kick-start a lifelong love of football for many who have not yet played our beautiful game.

“We look forward to guiding more young Victorians on their football journey.”

With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand on the horizon, there has never been a better time for young women and girls to try football.

FV and SSV will partner to host Gala Days for primary school students in Grades 4, 5 and 6. These events will be exclusively girls-only so participants can shine in a fun and safe environment.

In addition, FV in conjunction with SSV are seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from SSV Primary and Secondary Schools who wish to participate in ‘Futsal’ 5-A-Side Indoor Football competitions in 2021 and 2022.

The program will be kicking off in December with a Futsal Gala Day at La Trobe Sports Stadium located in Bundoora.

A Futsal Champions Cup is also being proposed for Runners-Up and Champions who qualify from any SSV Divisional and Regional Futsal events that can be held in 2021.

Finally, FV and SSV have offered their Refereeing Academy program to students who are aged between 15 and 18.

The program will take students through the Level 4 Refereeing Course, which includes an online component that teaches the laws of the game and a practical component, where students will be trained by a qualified instructor out on the pitch.

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Football Victoria unveils CoacHER Pathway Program

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Image Credit: Football Victoria Website

Football Victoria (FV) proudly launched the CoacHER Pathway Program at The Home of the Matildas on May 10, marking a significant milestone for women in coaching, the largest female-only coaching course ever delivered in the state.

More than 85 passionate women came together for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. The CoacHER initiative is all about breaking down the barriers women face in coaching, while building a supportive, long-term development pathway for both new and experienced female coaches.

Coach Education Coordinator Emily Sutcliffe reflected on the launch, and its aim to build a sense of community, confidence, and belonging among women in football.

“Seeing such a large group of women all in one space, learning and supporting one another, was incredibly powerful,” she said via press release.

“The day was more than just technical training — it was about creating an environment where women felt genuinely seen, heard, and valued. In a powerful moment, two participants approached staff in tears, overwhelmed by the sense of belonging in a space filled with like-minded women who share their passion for football.

“For many of these women, this was the first time they’d ever been in a coaching space surrounded entirely by other women. It’s hard to put into words how meaningful that is.

“One coach shared her journey in football, recalling the challenges she faced when coaching her son’s team – including repeated derogatory comments questioning her capability simply because she was female. She shared with tutors that this was the first time in years, she felt truly supported.”

Nearly 72 women proudly completed their Foundation of Football course, while 15 advanced coaches took part in FV’s first-ever in-person, female-only CPD workshop, themed ‘Match Day’. The CoacHER Pathway Program is open to women of all ages and experience levels — from seasoned coaches to current players and those completely new to coaching.

Participants also had the special opportunity to attend the Melbourne Victory FC semi-final the past weekend, further strengthening bonds and creating space for meaningful conversations among women in the football community.

With only 14% of coaches in Victoria identifying as female, CoacHER is a key part of FV’s commitment to achieving gender equity in football.

The program is designed to:

  • Remove financial and accessibility barriers to coaching education and CPD
  • Boost female representation across all levels of football — from grassroots to elite
  • Provide meaningful mentorship, peer support, and networking opportunities

“Visibility is critical,” Sutcliffe continued via press release.

“The more women we see in coaching roles, the more we inspire the next generation of girls to step up — not just as players, but as leaders in our game.”

Saturday’s launch was just the beginning. FV is committed to delivering more female-only coaching programs, expanding the CoacHER network, and ensuring every woman involved in football has the opportunity to thrive. With the help of the Growing Football Fund, this program was able to come to life, proudly supported by Football Australia and CommBank.

Elevating Aintree Football and grassroots sports

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Image credit: Football Victoria

Football Victoria has acknowledged Melton City Council for the official opening of the $15.3 million Aintree North Recreation Reserve — a pivotal investment in community sport and active recreation that will serve the area’s growing demand for football and broader sporting participation.

In April, City of Melton Mayor Cr Steve Abboushi and State Member for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch MP officially unveiled the reserve, which is positioned to play a central role as a district-level facility in Melbourne’s west and will accommodate a range of local sports groups, including football clubs.

City of Melton Mayor Cr Steve Abboushi described the reserve as a transformative development for the local community.

“Spaces like these make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to take part in regular exercise, social connection and outdoor activity,” he said via press release.

“I’d like to thank the Victorian Government and Woodlea for their contributions to this fantastic project.”

The state-of-the-art reserve features premium soccer pitches, an inclusive play area, a youth-focused skate park, a jogging track with a fitness trail, an off-leash dog park, public restrooms, a network of shared pathways, and a contemporary community sports pavilion.

The project was supported by a $11.9 million investment from Melton City Council, alongside a $2 million contribution from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and an additional $1.46 million from developer Woodlea.

Josephine La Pila, Football Victoria’s Club Development Program Manager, expressed support for the reserve’s opening and commended the commitment to enhancing community football facilities.

“This precinct is a fantastic example of local government, developers and state partners working together to support grassroots football,” she said via press release.

“The facilities at Aintree will open new doors for clubs, players and families – especially in such a fast-growing area. We’re excited to see the positive impact it will have on participation, development and community connection.”

Football Victoria is excited to maintain its partnership with the City of Melton and local clubs, working together to establish the new reserve as a flourishing centre for football and community sports.

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