Melrose Park FC: A new grassroots club with exciting ideas and ambition  

It’s an exciting time for the Gladesville Hornsby Football Association as they welcome a new member to the football family, Melrose Park Football Club.

GWSFC Melrose Park and Marsden High School have partnered up to increase the community and student participation in sport, focusing on the world game.

The high school is dynamic and culturally rich, with 50% of students coming from non-English speaking backgrounds.

The intensive English Centre at the school prepares migrants and refugee students into the education system in Australia.

Melrose Park president Julie Crane’s plan is to use football to break down possible cultural barriers with the non-for-profit club.

“Football transcends language and cultural barriers.

“We want the club to be an active participant in adjusting new migrants and refugees to Australia, we believe football is that vehicle.”

The club will look to bring the global game to the community and use football’s spirit to create a positive and engaging atmosphere including participation regardless of your financial situation.

“Our aim is to engage with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and encourage participation, while advancing their football skills.”

Crane has seen what football can do for people and how it brings them together through her own experiences.

“I had the privilege of playing street football near the Mekong in Vietnam with about 40 kids, we did not speak Vietnamese and they did not speak English. We played for over an hour and made great friends with all of them.

“A large portion of our target group have grown up playing street football, around the world, some in extreme conditions.

“But their love of football won.”

Melrose Park FC will operate from the Marsden High School Grounds.

For more information on the club you can contact Julie Crane on 0421 913 212.

-By Nikola Pozder