Football Victoria’s fifth year of Community in Business looks to reinvigorate business partnerships in the state

In what has been a tough 12 months for businesses across the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Football Victoria (FV) will look to recharge the business community through their annual FV Community in Business (CIB) program.

The state governing body for football will host the first of its four CIB events this year on Friday, with Football Australia CEO James Johnson to give the keynote address.

Football Victoria will also be celebrating the five-year anniversary of CIB in 2021, a program which was the brainchild of current FV Head of Commercial Anthony Grima and prominent business identity Professor Greg Stamboulidis.

FV’s Community in Business network was established after extensive research was conducted in 2014 on sponsorship data. At the time around 2,000 businesses invested commercially into grassroots community football in Victoria, with significant financial contributions made to over 350 clubs in the state.

Grima further explained to Soccerscene the origins of Football Victoria’s Community in Business program.

“It was created to provide a platform for businesses, football clubs and their sponsors, media and all levels of government to unite in their shared passion for the world game,” he said.

“It really was born out of one of those ‘write on the napkin’ type moments over a coffee in Ivanhoe. The idea just grew legs from that very moment. It seemed right and we knew the grassroots game needed it.

“We knew that this shared passion would lead to the development of meaningful relationships between the vast range of stakeholders in football and provide them with affordable and effective opportunities to connect with one another for mutual benefits and returns; and at the same time achieve important outcomes for football in Victoria.”

The membership-based program had its launch event in late November 2015, on the back of the Socceroos Asian Cup success earlier in that year.

We were thankful to have the then Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou and Socceroos legend Josip Skoko, amongst others, to launch the new community initiative,” Grima said.

“Approximately 100 guests of the Victorian football community were invited to help us launch the new initiative. The event was hosted by George Donikian, who we are also very grateful to, being our inaugural MC and first Honorary Member.

Since then, the Community in Business brand has continued to grow exponentially, with over 100 businesses in any given year signing up as members to fund the program.

A major drawcard of these events are the special guests who attend the multiple functions across the year.

“Our feature guests continue to reflect the ethos of supporting every level of the game,” Grima said.

“We make sure that we are always celebrating Victoria’s football achievements, by unifying the achievements of football past, present and future in this country and the diversity of our great game.”

Guests from over the years include Harry Kewell, Graham Arnold, Craig Johnston, Archie Thompson, John Aloisi, Lisa De Vanna, Melissa Barbieri, Tony Vidmar, Paul Wade, Craig Foster, Les Murray and many more.

Other notable events over the course gave members the opportunity to meet former Manchester United and Liverpool players such as Wes Brown, Louis Saha, David James, Emile Heskey and Steve McManaman.

Occasions such as this couldn’t be possible without the assistance of event organisers, who the federation works alongside.

“A big thanks must go to the team at MSE Events,” Grima said.

“The events are very thoughtfully considered and planned, as much as possible, around special events where the celebration doesn’t end at the luncheons.

“For example, when Brazil and Argentina were in town, we gave all our members free tickets to these matches.”

Grima believes that without the support from clubs, businesses and the football community as a whole, the program wouldn’t be where it Is today.

“I am personally proud of how far the program has come,” he said.

“It is called Community in Business because it is a network that is owned and valued by the community. We are all in the business of making this community great. Together we can achieve more for our game, unified as friends in football.

“Community in Business continues to demonstrate how business and community can work together to achieve extraordinary outcomes for our game.”

More information on Football Victoria’s Community in Business program can be found here.

 

 

 

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Football Victoria Celebrates Construction Start on Gippsland Sports & Entertainment Park Redevelopment

Football Victoria welcomes the start of construction on the Gippsland Sports & Entertainment Park redevelopment, a major boost for football in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland, funded by the Victorian Government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.

Construction getting underway with head contractor Building Engineering marks a major milestone in creating a modern, inclusive, and top-quality home for football in the region.

Lachlan Cole, FV’s Head of Government Relations & Strategy, said the upgraded Gippsland Sports & Entertainment Park is a flagship project that will provide local clubs and the wider Latrobe Valley football community with top-quality facilities and boost Gippsland’s ability to host regional tournaments and events.

“This is a crown jewel project for regional football in Victoria,” he said in a press release

“The upgraded Gippsland Sports & Entertainment Park will ensure that local clubs like Falcons 2000, Gippsland United FC and the wider Latrobe Valley football community have the facilities they deserve to grow and thrive, while strengthens Gippsland’s capacity to host regional tournaments and showcase events.”

The GSEP site holds a special place in Victoria’s football history, from the proud legacy of the former Morwell Falcons SC in the old NSL, to the lasting impact of the late Don Di Fabrizio OAM, a respected community figure who led the club as president from 1969 to 1994 and served as a Commissioner for the Australian Soccer Federation (ASF).

In honour of his legacy, the new grandstand pavilion will continue to carry Di Fabrizio’s name, acknowledging his significant contributions to the local football community.

The redevelopment will feature a new grandstand pavilion with accessible change rooms and facilities, upgraded pitches with improved lighting, a new change facility, and expanded parking. The project is also expected to boost the local economy through job creation and new opportunities for local businesses during and after the construction phase.

Cole also stated that Football Victoria is proud to partner with the government and the local football community on this upgrade, and thanked key ministers and agencies whose support has been vital in getting the project underway.

“Football Victoria is proud to partner with key government stakeholders and the local football community on this transformative upgrade,” he said.

“We thank Minister Shing, Minister Spence, and the Allan Labor Government for their continued investment in football and regional sport infrastructure.

“The vision and support of Sport and Recreation Victoria, Development Victoria, and Latrobe City Council has been instrumental in getting this project off the ground.”

The upgraded precinct will remain a central hub for the Latrobe Valley Soccer League, the Gippsland Referees Branch, and the next generation of regional football talent, supporting both community football and Football Victoria pathways and events.

Football Victoria looks forward to the project’s completion in late 2026 and the lasting impact this investment will have on Gippsland football for years to come.

PEGS SC Receives $5,000 Community Grant from Bendigo Bank

In a powerful show of support for local sport and women’s participation, Community Bank Keilor East – Bendigo Bank has awarded a $5,000 Community Grant to PEGS Soccer Club, allowing their senior women’s team to play for free in 2025.

The grant marks a revived partnership between PEGS SC and Bendigo Bank, following a long-standing relationship with the Strathmore branch that was paused during the pandemic.

“Originally, we had a partnership with them through their Strathmore branch in 2015 and 2016 for a few years, and then it disbanded over COVID,” explained PEGS SC President Chris Orlich. “This is the first year we’ve started back up with the Keilor East branch.”

Chris Orlich (Left) and Richard Lawrence (Right) from Community Bank Keilor East proudly announces the $5,000 community grant alongside PEGS SC, presenting the new senior women’s team jersey supported by Community Bank Keilor East. A big boost for grassroots sport and women’s football in 2025 Photo Credit: One Nil Media

The renewed collaboration reflects a shared commitment to fostering community, inclusion, and opportunity through grassroots sport.

“It was a massive help for our senior women’s team,” Orlich added. “We were able to get them to play for free, basically covered by Bendigo Bank. It’s a huge boost and shows how supporting the community and local business really makes a difference.”

At Community Bank Keilor East, giving back is a core value. As a community-owned bank, they return up to 50% of profits into local initiatives, including sport, education, and grassroots programs.

“Supporting women’s teams is not only aligned with our values of equity and inclusion, it’s an investment in the strength and future of our community,” said Zaina Kattan, Community Engagement Officer at Bendigo Bank Keilor East. “We’re especially passionate about backing local sporting clubs and are proud advocates of women in sport.”

The Keilor East branch recently marked a major milestone with the purchase of their long-time premises at 53 Wyong Street, where they’ve proudly operated for over 23 years. Backed by a dedicated team, including Business Development Manager Aggie Polifico and a committed board, the branch’s support goes beyond financial contributions.

The PEGS SC senior women’s team celebrates with Richard Lawrence from Community Bank Keilor East – Bendigo Bank after receiving a $5,000 grant to cover 2025 player fees, supporting inclusion and growth in grassroots football. Image Credit: One Nil Media

PEGS SC and other local groups also benefit from Bendigo Bank’s free Community Bus, which helps reduce travel costs and encourages broader participation in competitions and events.

With the grant now in place, PEGS SC’s senior women will take the field in 2025 free of player fees – helping remove barriers and build a stronger, more inclusive future for the sport.

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