Bundoora’s Parade College was given a special look at Manchester City soccer club’s worldwide Treble Trophy Tour last week.
The historic treble-winning trophy set, comprising the Premier League trophy, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League trophy, landed at the school’s Bundoora campus and was greeted by enthusiastic students and staff.
The treble exhibition also included a surprise ‘quadruple’ trophy, the UEFA Super Cup, which Manchester City secured by defeating Seville in Athens in August. The UEFA Super Cup is a one-off fixture between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
In 2021, Parade College was the first Australian school to include a Manchester City Football School as part of its curriculum. Since then, the program has blossomed with almost 100 Year 7 and Year 8 students currently enrolled. The program will also move into the Year 9 curriculum in 2024.
Parade College Principal Mark Aiello said the school’s partnership with Manchester City was unique in Victoria.
“Parade was fortunate enough to be the first Manchester City Football School in Australia,” Mr Aiello said.
“Since coming on board, and through our head coach Mick Bennett, we’ve been able to combine the elite coaching philosophy and methodology of Manchester City with our first-class football facilities.
“This combination has not only led to improved footballers, it’s also helped develop more well-rounded young men. The Manchester City Football School’s teaching approach has been shared across the school with our teachers, and our coaches have also grown in an elite performance environment.
“Having four global football trophies arrive at the school is a privilege for our students and staff to engage with. It’s not something that comes along every day.”