Premier League giants Manchester City are broadening their footprint in Australia by announcing the launch of their first football school in the country.
The school will be based at Parade College’s Bundoora campus in Melbourne and will involve a Manchester City coach overseeing courses.
Enrollments are now open for a January 2022 start with available programs expected to expand over the course of the year.
Parade College was founded in 1871 and has won 25 Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC) premierships in football with former A-League player Massimo Murdocca among their alumni.
Jorgina Busquets, the managing director of football education and recreation for City Football Group, believes they have found an ideal institution to partner with for their maiden school in Australia.
“We are delighted to be opening our first Manchester City Football School in Australia with Parade College, who have some of the best facilities and sports programs in the region," Busquets said via a news release.
"We want to contribute to Parade’s ongoing effort of improving the lives of its pupils & community and creating well rounded individuals by bringing Manchester City’s approach and methodology to continue in their path towards football, and educational excellence."
Parade College principal Andrew Kuppe added: “We know this partnership will inspire a new generation of footballers at Parade and we are especially proud of those young men who have represented our school and forged successful careers in the game.
“Parade College looks forward to Manchester City’s ‘football effect’ promoting health, education and inclusion, to improve the lives of the young people enrolled at Parade.
"This exciting partnership with Manchester City is a further reminder that in celebrating 150 years, Parade College’s best years are ahead of us."
City Football Group are no strangers to Australia, and specifically Victoria, given their ownership of reigning A-League champions Melbourne City.