Football Victoria Signs MoU With Chinese Soccer Association

Football Victoria (FV) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Melbourne Chinese Soccer Association (MCSA) with the purpose of fostering our relationship and promoting football. This initiative augments Football Victoria’s newly announced ‘Unite our Game’ initiative.

FV’s ‘Unite our Game’ initiative serves to unify the sport by bringing all non-affiliated football competitions together under the FV structure and establishing a mutually beneficial affiliation model whereby these football bodies can assist FV in developing and growing the game.

Accommodating approximately 1,500 registered players, MCSA was established in 1995 with the view to provide opportunities for young people, predominantly but not exclusively of Chinese cultural heritage, to play football in a friendly competitive environment.

Whilst MCSA has registered players from over 60 diverse cultural backgrounds, MCSA enjoys strong support from the Victorian Chinese community and business community, as well as that of the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne which continues as its auspice organisation.

Football Victoria CEO Peter Filopoulos said the close collaboration between FV and MCSA will strength football’s overall position state-wide.

“This is a historic day for football in Victoria,” Mr Filopoulous said.

“Football Victoria looks forward to teaming up with MCSA to ensure football is the number one choice for all who wish to participate in sport - no matter what gender or where they come from”.

As part of the MoU, Football Victoria will provide the MCSA with such benefits as access to the State Football Centre at Darebin for its annual Melbourne U-Nite Cup & Women’s Legacy Cup. Both annual tournaments have been run successfully over the last six consecutive years in partnership with Melbourne Victory FC who have been long time partners of MCSA. FV will also provide match balls and appoint FV qualified match officials for these events as well as ongoing facilities and advocacy support as required.

MCSA Secretary Andrew Young said MCSA looked forward to embracing ties between the two organisations and bringing everyone together to embrace and celebrate multiculturalism.

“This is an exciting initiative for football and the people of Victoria and has been a long time coming,” Young said.

“We are proud to form this partnership with Football Victoria so that we, together, as friends in football, can provide increased opportunities for our diverse communities to enjoy the world game, be active and stay connected.”