THE Melbourne Football Club went back to school a day early with Wednesday’s announcement of a signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Melbourne.
The new partnership brings together two of Melbourne’s oldest and most iconic institutions that will see future collaboration on student engagement and research.
Key defender Tom McDonald and forward Jay Kennedy-Harris welcomed the news as both are current students at the University of Melbourne and see the partnership producing benefits for both organisations.
Melbourne CEO Peter Jackson indicated 2015 was about developing the club’s long term strategy and this agreement reflects its future direction.
“We are the only AFL club that carries the name Melbourne, and we will take every opportunity to engage with, and celebrate the city that shares our name,” he said.
“The University of Melbourne is an excellent partner to explore opportunities to build deeper links, connections and activities with Melbourne that we hope provides benefits to both parties and enhances the city’s sporting and education capabilities.
“In many ways, it makes perfect sense to create a formal relationship between two iconic institutions that reflects Melbourne’s world class qualities in education and sport.”
Jackson said the announcement builds on more than four years of work between Melbourne and the University’s Indigenous Eye Health Unit led by passionate Melbourne supporter Professor Hugh Taylor.
The Club has worked with Professor Taylor and his team to reduce trachoma in remote indigenous communities during our Northern Territory games, community and training camps. A number of players have been official ambassadors for the ‘clean faces, strong eyes’ campaign with Jay Kennedy-Harris following the likes of Aaron Davey, Austin Wonaeamirri, Liam Jurrah and Dom Barry.
“It is an example of how big things can grow from community engagement programs,” said Jackson.
“The trachoma work started a conversation that has developed into a strategic partnership that allows the club to develop further links in research, and student engagement with the University of Melbourne.
“The University has over 16,000 international students and we believe the club can deliver a program that goes beyond free tickets to the footy that will build strong engagement with the club, city and university.”
“We are both borne from this city, our futures are tied to this place” said Professor Ian Anderson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement). “At the core of this partnership is our shared commitment to Melbourne the city. We are seeking ways in which we can enrich the experience of Melbourne, and in turn, look at how we can make this the best city in the world for students.”
The club and university agree that such an undertaking can only benefit the city more broadly, which in 2014 was ranked second behind Paris in the QS rankings for most student-friendly city.
“Football is one way to enrich the student experience, and we want to prove international students with an experience that will make their time in Melbourne truly memorable,” said Professor Anderson.
“Sport is integral to the life of the University and our contribution to our community, a part of our commitment to excellence in a holistic sense. With the Melbourne Football Club we have a common passion in supporting the development of a sport that is the heart and soul of the Australian experience in Melbourne.”
The agreement also paves the way for future work together on research topics of mutual interest, and elite sporting opportunities for University of Melbourne students.
Director of Melbourne University Sport, Mr Timothy Lee, said the agreement builds on the two organisation’s long history in Aussie rules football. “The approach from the Melbourne Football Club is timely as 2015 marks the 100 year anniversary since University left the VFL, and a perfect fit historically, geographically and emotionally.”
“University Football Club shared the MCG with the Melbourne Football Club during the VFL era and most of the University players not fighting in Europe or Gallipoli transferred across to the Club including the great Roy Park and the famous Cordner brothers, including Brownlow Medallist Don Cordner.
Lee said the University, an Elite Athlete Friendly institution as verified by the Australian Sports Commission, was pleased to further its sporting credentials.
CEO Peter Jackson and Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis of Melbourne University
