The Albion community soccer hub continues to spread its wings, with huge growth since it kicked off a little more than two years ago.
Since starting in 2015 as a way of providing an affordable way to play soccer, the hub has grown to be a home for 220 people from diverse backgrounds to enjoy the game, as team members or on a more casual basis. The hub has also started a number of junior programs.
Hub president George Paschalidis said the past two years had been a community success story.
“We used to have one men’s team – now we have our first junior side, a women’s side, an asylum seeker resource centre side and Mini-Roos for young kids,” he said. “It’s a credit to everyone that’s been involved.”
The hub gets support from the Scanlon Foundation as well as Brimbank council and local agencies, allowing it to offer games and training at roughly a third of the costs associated with many other soccer clubs.
“We offer a really affordable alternative,” Mr Paschalidis said. “It means the kids that need the support the most can still get out on the pitch and play and don’t miss out because of money.”
The hub will hold a season launch and celebration on Sunday, May 28, with soccer games, music and a skills clinic with Melbourne City Football Club. The Selwyn Park event will run from 10am-4pm.
