COMMUNITY activities and the passion to ‘give back’ are an important part of the Melbourne Football Club.
 
The club aims to assist the broader community through community partnerships, donations, school visits and more.
 
This week we look at the club’s grassroots footy partnerships with the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League (MPNFL), Dandenong District Junior Football League (DDJFL) and the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL).

With thousands of suburban Australian Rules matches being played across Victoria and Australia each weekend, the importance of football at a grassroots level is enormous and is often where future AFL players begin their journey.
 
Through partnerships with the VWFL, DDJFL and MPNFL, Melbourne is promoting the growth and importance of football at grassroots level. Its aim is to increase awareness and participation in the game through various initiatives at local level, while creating an opportunity for the club to have a meaningful impact on the community, particularly in the City of Casey.

Below are some examples of the exciting things that are happening with our Grassroots Footy Community partners.
 
Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League
 
MPNFL Young Guns Program
Melbourne offers the opportunity for nominated MPNFL Young Guns to take part in a training session with MFC players, receive recognition on the club’s website and a certificate of achievement from the club.

MPNFL Annual Women’s Lunch
Melbourne supports the annual MPNFL Woman’s Lunch, which raises money for breast cancer awareness, by providing several panellists. Club legend David Neitz hosted this year’s event and there was a donation of several auction and raffle items, as well as MFC players in attendance.
 
Paul Johnson weekly update
Ruckman and former MPNFL player Paul Johnson provides a weekly update in the MPNFL match day record on the happenings in the MPNFL and MFC.
 
Don’t Drive Like A Demon
The program is aimed at football and netball players within the MPNFL, focusing on raising awareness among young people regarding the risks of dangerous driving and how it affects both individuals and the wider community.
 
Dandenong District Junior Football League
Little Demons Day
The Little Demons Day is a DDJFL initiative supported by Melbourne, which includes 900 junior DDJFL footballers coming together for a gala day of football.
 
DDJFL Radio show appearances
Melbourne players appear on DDJFL radio show hosted on Casey Radio each Saturday.

DDJFL Club of the Year Award
Melbourne in conjunction with the DDJFL aims to reward DDJFL clubs that display good sportsmanship on and off the field, efficiency in administration, strong club values and other attributes through the DDJFL Club of the Year Award.
 
The DDJFL nominates its club of the year and the MFC provides several experiences and opportunities for the winning club as a reward. This aims to promote the ‘Winning Isn’t Everything’ message and the importance of good leadership - not only on the field, but also off it.

Victorian Women’s Football League
Melbourne is committed to supporting women playing, administrating and developing the game. Our current partnership with the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL) allows us to champion women playing the game in a meaningful way, by providing exciting football experiences and aiming to reward fantastic achievements through the following programs.
 
VWFL Rising Stars Program
Melbourne and VWFL aim to reward weekly on-field performances of VWFL players through the ‘Rising Stars Program’. Each week, one young player from each division will be voted the VWFL Rising Star and will receive the opportunity to train with the club, as well as a certificate from VWFL Ambassadors Brad Green and Colin Sylvia, plus an MFC giveaway pack.

VWFL Ambassadors
Sylvia and Green are utilised for various functions during the year, providing tips to VWFL players and supporting women in football.
 
Sponsorship
The club has been a proud sponsor of the VWFL in 2009 and 2010, with plans for ongoing involvement.
 
As well as the above experiences and opportunities, each year our partner leagues are provided with the opportunity to take part in:
- Training session with Melbourne players at Casey Fields
- Opportunity for league trainers to take part in a ‘Train the Trainer’ session with a Melbourne club doctor and physio
- Opportunity for league coaches to take part in ‘Coach the Coach’ session with Melbourne assistant coaches
- Demon Heartland ticketing, providing free tickets to home matches at the MCG.

If you would like to know more about the club’s community programs, please visit the ‘Community’ section of the club’s website or contact the club on (03) 9652 1122