Melbourne Heart FC’s commitment to fostering links with the grassroots community has been a common theme throughout its short existence, highlighting an acknowledgement of the indelible mark made by local clubs around the state.
Melbourne Heart FC-s commitment to fostering links with the grassroots community has been a common theme throughout its short existence, highlighting an acknowledgement of the indelible mark made by local clubs around the state.
With the events such as the Westpac Community Football Festival – featuring Geelong, Morwell and Bendigo – on the Club-s agenda, the Heart has been unwavering in its efforts to engage with underrepresented areas of the Victorian football populace.
And it is this dedication to core values which prompted Melbourne Heart FC General Manager of Community Sue Crow to make the switch to football following an accomplished career in sports administration.
From Women-s Cricket to AFL, Crow has built an impressive managerial record at the elite level, most recently establishing the Melbourne Vixens Netball side in 2008, which emerged triumphant during last year-s Trans-Tasman Championship.
Arriving from such a diverse background, working with many of the leading grassroots participation sports in the nation; Crow feels she is well placed to help the Heart successfully integrate into the wider community, and help forge the foundations of a legacy, which could endure into the future.
“The project we have undertaken here at Melbourne Heart FC is very exciting and has been an experience which I have really relished so far,” Crow said.
“One of the main challenges we face as a new club is how we can best make an impact at a grassroots level and utilise our knowledge base and resources to help build the game of football as a whole.
“And with the response we have received from local clubs around the state so far, we feel we are well on track to fulfilling that goal and delivering on our promise as an organisation.”
The first female appointed to a development role at the AFL, Crow is familiar with the pressures associated with being a trailblazer, and believes Melbourne Heart FC has the internal structures in place to make an impact as it attempts to develop into a club truly representative of Victoria.
“To ensure we are fulfilling our promise to the football community, the club will have two full time Game Development Officers on board to assist in the orchestration and delivery of our grassroots programs,” Crow said.
“We will feel this will enable us to roll out a program of the depth and breadth necessary to truly make an impact and help clubs around the state.”
Recent highlights of the Club-s community program include John Aloisi-s participation in the launch of the 1GOAL – Education For All campaign as well as Head Coach John van ‘t Schip-s attendance at the Big Issue Victorian Street Soccer Championships and RCH Good Friday Appeal telethon.
With the club still in its infancy, Crow is confident that list is set to grow, but said the Club-s main focus remains at a grassroots level.
“Melbourne Heart FC is devoted to using its profile to bring attention to a number of worthwhile causes,” Crow said.
“However, our attention remains firmly entrenched at a grassroots level, with programs such as the Westpac ‘Coach the Coach- program examples of the initiatives we have developed for local clubs.”
“Over the last month, our programs have involved over 1000 junior football players around the state, a statistic which will only grow over the coming months.”
With the countdown to the club-s competition debut well underway, Melbourne Heart FC invites you to register for priority access and become a member at the Hyundai A-League-s newest football club.
Click here for a registration form.
