Preparations for Melbourne Heart FC’s arrival in the Latrobe Valley for the Westpac Community Football Festival have taken the next step after the Club announced a series of free events.
Preparations for Melbourne Heart FC-s arrival in the Latrobe Valley for the Westpac Community Football Festival have taken the next step after the Club announced a series of free events.
The Hyundai A-League side will arrive in the Latrobe Valley on Tuesday July 6 for the start of the three-day football extravaganza, which will see Heart engage with the local community through a series of clinics and events.
Morwell and Drouin will be the first locations to stage free clinics for locals between the ages of 5 and 12 on the opening day of the festival, before moving to Traralgon and Moe on Wednesday July 7.
Heart players and coaches will be in attendance at all events, signing autographs and providing tips to locals keen to advance their football knowledge.
General Manager, Community Sue Crow said the festival is an important element of Heart-s philosophy of contributing to regional grassroots football communities.
“The Latrobe Valley region has been a long time supporter of the round ball code, and the Club is delighted to be able to contribute to the continued development of football in the region through the Westpac Community Football Festival,” Crow said.
“Westpac-s support has allowed the Club to stage this series of free events, which are designed to ensure everyone in the Latrobe Valley has the opportunity to access football at the elite level.”
Westpac-s free ‘Coach the Coach- seminar is set to be another key feature of the festival, with Heart Head Coach John van ‘t Schip and Assistants Jesper Olsen and Ante Milicic holding a seminar educating local football clubs on the latest tactical and technical innovations in the game.
Heart-s coaching panel have been influenced by some of the biggest names in world football including Sir Alex Ferguson and Johan Cruyff, and have themselves played for the likes of Manchester United and Ajax Amsterdam.
High Performance Managers Tom Reddin and Martin Wollin will also be present to provide insights into the latest advances in elite strength and conditioning.
Van ‘t Schip said: “The Westpac ‘Coach the Coach- conference will be one of the most important elements of the Westpac Community Football Festival, providing the Club with a real chance to help develop football at grassroots level.
“I am confident the information we will provide can help local coaches gain a clearer understanding of the mentality of coaching at the elite level, and can be incorporated at their clubs.”
The festival wraps up with a match between Heart and fellow Hyundai A-League side Newcastle Jets at the Latrobe Sports and Entertainment Stadium on July 8, with tickets available at Westpac branches or at the gate.
Interested local coaches, officials and players can register their interest for the clinics and ‘Coach the Coach- seminar at www.melbourneheartfc.com.au or by contacting Louisa.bisby@melbourneheartfc.com.au.
