Melbourne City FC has further entrenched itself into the Cranbourne community through the opening of the new state-of-the-art City Football Academy Melbourne at Casey Fields.

The facility, opened on Wednesday 10 April, will be home to the Club’s elite Men’s and Women’s teams, six Academy teams, and Administration department; as well as hosting the Club’s registered charity, City in the Community, and grassroots program, the Melbourne City Football School.

The facility has everything a professional athlete could ask for, including 16 change rooms, hot and cold hydrotherapy pools, two gyms, community classrooms, a 60-seat theatrette and extensive sports medicine, sports science, and administration spaces, with parallels between facilities drawn to some of the biggest clubs in world football, such as Manchester City FC and New York City FC.

Two and a half grass pitches and three synthetic fields, meanwhile, will give players amble space to hone their craft.

Casual community use will also be allocated to not-for-profit organisations, local football clubs, schools, and commercial groups from across the city of Casey and surrounding municipalities.

Chief Executive of Melbourne City FC Brad Rowse said the club is “setting new standards for football in Australia.”

“The facility leads the way in Australian football, bringing together our Men’s, Women’s, Academy, and Administration teams under the one roof, and allowing us to train, share ideas and challenge each other every day,” Rowse said.

“We pride ourselves on being an innovative Club that has a positive impact on our local community, and with thousands of family homes now on our doorstep, we look forward to welcoming people from across Melbourne and the South-East to Casey Fields to experience the City Football Academy themselves.”

The City of Casey contributed two thirds of the funding towards the $18.7 million facility.

City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff said Council’s partnership with Melbourne City FC will allow residents to engage with the Club via football pathways, leadership development programs and participation in community programs.

“Many in our community absolutely love the round ball game,” Duff said. 

“I am looking forward to seeing our young people from the City of Casey’s local football clubs, schools and neighbouring suburbs enjoying this facility side-by-side with some of Australia’s best and brightest players and coaches.”