Melbourne Victory to share its love of football with international students

THANKS to A-League football club Melbourne Victory, international students will have plenty of opportunities to join in the shared appreciation of the beautiful game. Trinh Le has more.

From left: Community Football Coordinator – Gülcan Koca, Community Ambassador – Gary Lee, Community Football Manager  – Jamie Monteith, Community Ambassador – Ajit Chauhan, General Manager, Community – Stella Smith & Marketing Manager – Arthur Gillion. Photo supplied.

A-League football club Melbourne Victory has officially appointed 25 ambassadors to its inaugural Community Ambassador Program, in  the hope that a shared appreciation for the beautiful game will bring people of diverse backgrounds, including international students together.

Made up of various community leaders across Victoria, including City of Melbourne International Student & Youth Officer Gary Lee, the initiative hopes to reach out to the wider community of football fanatics in Melbourne and throughout Victoria.

“Melbourne Victory understands the role it can play in sharing our love of football to the wider community, particularly the diverse multicultural populations of Melbourne and Victoria,” Melbourne Victory CEO Ian Robson said.

In the coming months, Melbourne Victory will present numerous opportunities for international students learn, participate and enjoy the sport of football.

Speaking fondly of football’s “ability to unite people and break down stereotypes and cultural barriers,” Lee recognises the sport as being an integral part of many international students’ lives.

“[Football] engages people young and old, it’s a family tradition, and for many international students, they grew up enjoying the game,” he said.

“I can clearly recall staying up with my dad watching the Premier League and getting together with my friends at coffee shops following the game on a communal TV.”

Established in 2004, Melbourne Victory is currently the most successful football club in Australia’s Hyundai A-League, having won three Championships and three Premierships.

In 2015, it became the first club in Australian football history to hold three major trophies – Premier’s Plate, Hyundai A-League Championship and FFA Cup – in one single year.

Got any ideas or suggestions to help further engage international students in football and other community programs? Don’t hesitate to contact Gary Lee: gary.lee@melbourne.vic.gov.au